Feature Papers in Journal of Respiration

A topical collection in Journal of Respiration (ISSN 2673-527X).

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Editor

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

This topical collection for JoR has the goal to gather high-quality manuscripts in the form of review articles, original contributions, unusual case studies, and molecular or artificial intelligence analyses in the diverse areas that our journal covers: pulmonology, diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery, oncology, and molecular analysis in either pediatric or adult populations. As you can see, the main goal of this topical collection is to illustrate the diversity and the wide spectrum of possibilities that our journal can offer.

Your being part of the Editorial Board of JoR plays an essential role in not only identifying possible guest editors to guide in the selections of topics for inclusion in JoR but also in taking the role of guest editor and contributing to the progress and advancement of the journal.  

Suggestions as Topical Collections include but are not limited to:

  • Diagnostic Imaging—the different techniques currently available for the diagnosis of the numerous conditions in the thorax;
  • Pulmonology—nontumoral conditions of the thorax: pleural and lung:
    • A topical collection of pleural diseases—diagnosis and treatment;
    • Topical collection of lung non-neoplastic conditions—diagnosis and treatment;
    • Lung neoplasia—diagnosis and treatment;
    • Pediatric pulmonary conditions;
    • Thoracic diseases—a focus on undeveloped countries: diagnostic and treatment options.
  • Surgery—A topical collection of the different approaches for the treatment of neoplastic conditions: thoracotomy, robotic procedures, other minimally invasive procedures.

If anyone of the Board Members would like to spearhead any of those suggestions or have a special recommendation for a guest editor for any of them, please get in touch. We will also welcome the opportunity to work with you if you prefer to develop your own Topical Collection.

Prof. Dr. Cesar A. Moran
Collection Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Respiration is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • respiratory system
  • pulmonology
  • pleural diseases
  • lung neoplasia
  • thoracic diseases
  • diagnostic imaging
  • diagnosis and treatment

Published Papers (8 papers)

2025

Jump to: 2024, 2023

22 pages, 7708 KiB  
Article
Top and Side Leakage Effects on Thermoregulation and Moisture Retention with Facemask Wearing
by Kian Barari, Xiuhua Si, Rozhin Hajian and Jinxiang Xi
J. Respir. 2025, 5(2), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor5020005 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 22
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mask-wearing-induced discomfort often leads to unconscious loosening of the mask to relieve the discomfort, thereby compromising protective efficacy. This study investigated how leakage flows affect mask-associated thermoregulation and vapor trapping to inform better mask designs. An integrated ambience–mask–face–airway model with various mask-wearing [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mask-wearing-induced discomfort often leads to unconscious loosening of the mask to relieve the discomfort, thereby compromising protective efficacy. This study investigated how leakage flows affect mask-associated thermoregulation and vapor trapping to inform better mask designs. An integrated ambience–mask–face–airway model with various mask-wearing misfits was developed. Methods: The transient warming/cooling effects, thermal buoyancy force, tissue heat generation, vapor phase change, and fluid/heat/mass transfer through a porous medium were considered in this model, which was validated using Schlieren imaging, a thermal camera, and velocity/temperature measurements. Leakages from the top and side of the mask were analyzed in comparison to a no-leak scenario under cyclic respiration conditions. Results: A significant inverse relationship was observed between mask leakage and facial temperature/humidity. An equivalent impact from buoyancy forces and exhalation flow inertia was observed both experimentally and numerically, indicating a delicate balance between natural convection and forced convection, which is sensitive to leakage flows and critical in thermo-humidity regulation. For a given gap, the leakage fraction was not constant within one breathing cycle but constantly increased during exhalation. Persistently higher temperatures were found in the nose region throughout the breathing cycle in a sealed mask and were mitigated during inhalation when gaps were present. Vapor condensation occurred within the mask medium during exhalation in all mask-wearing cases. Conclusions: The thermal and vapor temporal variation profiles were sensitive to the location of the gap, highlighting the feasibility of leveraging temperature and relative humidity to test mask fit and quantify leakage fraction. Full article
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15 pages, 1720 KiB  
Perspective
Intricacies of Global Tuberculosis Management—EndTB-2035 on the Fence?
by Radha Gopalaswamy and Selvakumar Subbian
J. Respir. 2025, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor5010004 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 262
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death from a single infectious agent in humans. The morbidity and mortality due to TB are further worsened by co-existing health conditions and the emergence of drug-resistant (DR-TB) cases. The WHO has declared TB as a [...] Read more.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death from a single infectious agent in humans. The morbidity and mortality due to TB are further worsened by co-existing health conditions and the emergence of drug-resistant (DR-TB) cases. The WHO has declared TB as a global emergency and endorsed global efforts to improve diagnosis, and treatment while reducing the catastrophic cost in an EndTB strategy in 2013, with a vision to create a TB-free world. In the past decade, molecular diagnostic tools, such as nucleic acid amplification technologies (NAATs), have replaced the conventional smear microscopy of TB, thus offering better bacteriological confirmation and case detection along with drug resistance in pulmonary and extrapulmonary samples. Follow-on testing using a more advanced targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) system has improved the diagnosis of cases resistant to first- and second-line anti-TB drugs, including newer ones. TB treatment has been improved with the introduction of newer drugs including an all-oral regimen for DR-TB, thereby improving patient compliance. Improved TB prevention is achieved through the broadening of BCG vaccination as well as preventive therapy for asymptomatic, latent TB (LTBI) cases, which, otherwise, can reactivate to symptomatic disease. However, the recent goal of the WHO’s EndTB-2035 strategy has been met with significant challenges in the areas of implementing improved diagnosis and treatment modalities in resource-limited TB endemic countries. The complexity of global TB management is confounded by malnutrition, comorbidities with other infectious and non-infectious diseases, and the socio-economic landscape of vulnerable populations. Political commitment to universal health coverage (UHC), including service coverage and reduction in catastrophic cost, are some of the essential components that need to be addressed to achieve the EndTB strategy. In this perspective, we have highlighted the intricacies of global TB management and summarized some of the key challenges that may keep the WHO’s EndTB-2035 strategy on the fence. Full article
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17 pages, 7890 KiB  
Article
NTRK Gene Expression in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
by Jair Gutierrez-Herrera, M. Angeles Montero-Fernandez, Georgia Kokaraki, Luigi De Petris, Raul Maia Falcão, Manuel Molina-Centelles, Ricardo Guijarro, Simon Ekman and Cristian Ortiz-Villalón
J. Respir. 2025, 5(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor5010002 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Since the discovery of oncogenic neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusions in colorectal cancer in 1986, their understanding has evolved, particularly in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over the past five years. NTRK rearrangements, involving NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3, drive tumorigenesis and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Since the discovery of oncogenic neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusions in colorectal cancer in 1986, their understanding has evolved, particularly in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over the past five years. NTRK rearrangements, involving NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3, drive tumorigenesis and have been identified in various adult and pediatric cancers, with over 80 different fusion variants in several type of cancers. Detecting these rearrangements is crucial for targeted therapy strategies. The aim of this study is detect, compare and analyse these mutations in NSCLC patients of a cohort of 482 cases from Karolinska University Hospital. Methods: We conducted an initial screening using pan-TRK immunohistochemistry (IHC) to analyze the material. Positive cases were further examined through whole-exome sequencing (WES) with next-generation sequencing (NGS) to confirm the presence of fusions. Additionally, to deepen our understanding, we utilized Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software, an artificial intelligence-driven technology, to explore the molecular pathways involved in lung cancer. Results: TRK overexpression was detected in 4.56% of cases via IHC. Among 15 pan-TRK-positive cases, WES confirmed fusions in 3, revealing a higher prevalence of NTRK1 (6.6%) and NTRK2 (13.3%) fusions, while no NTRK3 fusions were observed. Conclusions: Our findings confirm the low prevalence of these neoplasms as well as the need for a molecular test to confirm rearrangements or other potentially treatable mutations and raise other questions regarding their clinical use. However, there is an acceptable correlation between pan-TRK IHC and NTRK mutations, but not enough to determine NTRK fusions. Full article
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15 pages, 3125 KiB  
Article
A Whole-Body Physiology Model to Investigate Respiratory Function During Exercise Across Different Age Cohorts
by Austin Baird, Rachel A. Umoren, Steven A. White, Megan Gray and Taylor L. Sawyer
J. Respir. 2025, 5(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor5010001 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 695
Abstract
Background: There is a limitation in understanding complete cardiopulmonary function during moments of exhaustive exercise due to invasive measurement techniques. We asked how cardiopulmonary function is perturbed during times of exercise in different age cohorts: 6–11 and 11–18. We sought to broadly analyze [...] Read more.
Background: There is a limitation in understanding complete cardiopulmonary function during moments of exhaustive exercise due to invasive measurement techniques. We asked how cardiopulmonary function is perturbed during times of exercise in different age cohorts: 6–11 and 11–18. We sought to broadly analyze how age and oxidative stress during exercise differ across age cohorts. Methods: We present a whole-body physiology model that connects the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and oxygen transport and binding systems. We connect these models using a lumped parameter representation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Results: we observe distinct age-related difference in physiological response to exercise. These responses consist of respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system perturbations that are distinct across these age groups. Full article
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2024

Jump to: 2025, 2023

13 pages, 452 KiB  
Review
The 2023 British Thoracic Society Guideline for Pleural Disease Update on Malignant Pleural Effusion
by Kavita Sivabalah, Haval Balata, Chris Craig, Alaa Alsaaty, Kevin Conroy, Wei Hann Ong and Avinash Aujayeb
J. Respir. 2024, 4(4), 210-222; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor4040019 - 26 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2498
Abstract
The management of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) has developed hugely since the publication of the management of an MPE: British Thoracic Society (BTS) Pleural Disease Guideline 2010. The presence of an MPE reflects advanced or metastatic disease (excluding malignant pleural mesothelioma) and thus [...] Read more.
The management of malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) has developed hugely since the publication of the management of an MPE: British Thoracic Society (BTS) Pleural Disease Guideline 2010. The presence of an MPE reflects advanced or metastatic disease (excluding malignant pleural mesothelioma) and thus the management of MPE often focuses on symptomatic relief of symptoms and improving quality of life. We provide a review of the 2023 BTS guidance in relation to malignant pleural effusions and specific points on imaging and systemic anti-cancer treatment by concentrating on a hypothetical patient vignette. Full article
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10 pages, 237 KiB  
Article
Experiences of Physical Activity in Mesothelioma: A Qualitative Enquiry
by Lorelle Dismore, Leah Taylor, Christopher Hurst, Avinash Aujayeb, Hannah Poulter and Katherine Swainston
J. Respir. 2024, 4(4), 188-197; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor4040017 - 16 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1113
Abstract
Patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis often have relatively sedentary lifestyles and low physical activity. Reducing sedentary behaviour and being more active could be beneficial. A greater understanding of the factors associated with physical activity is needed to inform the development of interventions. Semi-structured [...] Read more.
Patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis often have relatively sedentary lifestyles and low physical activity. Reducing sedentary behaviour and being more active could be beneficial. A greater understanding of the factors associated with physical activity is needed to inform the development of interventions. Semi-structured interviews with patients with mesothelioma and informal carers were performed and analysed thematically. Three themes were generated: (1) the impact of disease burden and physical and psychological symptoms, (2) the psychosocial consequences and benefits of physical activity and (3) unpredictability and maintaining control. Participants had become increasingly sedentary during diagnosis and while undergoing treatment. Symptoms were key factors contributing to these reductions. Being less active reduced social connectedness and impacted psychological well-being. Some participants had lost confidence in being active and were worried about the potential negative consequences of doing more. Being able to walk was a priority, and they felt hopeful about increasing this in the future, but this depended on optimisation of symptoms. Clear guidance from healthcare professionals was needed to support engagement in physical activity. Declines in physical activity can have meaningful consequences for patients. Optimisation of symptoms is important to devise strategies to support patients with physical activity. Along with encouragement from healthcare professionals. Full article

2023

Jump to: 2025, 2024

11 pages, 968 KiB  
Article
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Its Complications
by Xiaoliang Wang, Zachary Wright, Jiayan Wang and Gengqing Song
J. Respir. 2023, 3(2), 75-85; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor3020008 - 5 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 8899
Abstract
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) commonly report gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, and limited data suggest a relationship between OSA and GERD-related complications. To investigate this association, we performed a population-based analysis using National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data for 7,159,694 patients. After [...] Read more.
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) commonly report gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, and limited data suggest a relationship between OSA and GERD-related complications. To investigate this association, we performed a population-based analysis using National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data for 7,159,694 patients. After adjusting for risk factors, OSA patients had a significantly higher incidence of GERD (32.3%) compared to those without OSA (15.0%, p < 0.01). OSA patients also had a higher risk of developing GERD-related complications, including non-erosive esophagitis, erosive esophagitis, esophageal stricture, and Barrett’s esophagus with and without dysplasia. Therefore, our results emphasize the importance of early detection and management of GERD and its complications in patients with OSA, particularly those with additional risk factors such as obesity and smoking. Full article
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10 pages, 229 KiB  
Article
Barriers to Effective Communication between Patients, Relatives, and Health Care Professionals in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic at Public Hospitals in Limpopo Province
by Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa, Dorah Ursula Ramathuba, Takalani Rhodah Luhalima, Seani Adrinah Mulondo, Thivhulawi Malwela, Azwidihwi Rose Tshililo, Julia Langanani Mafumo, Maria Sonto Maputle, Mary Maluleke, Takalani Ellen Mbedzi, Hilda Nwamuhohova Shilubane, Nthomeni Dorah Ndou, Khathutshelo Grace Netshisaulu and Mutshinyalo Lizzy Netshikweta
J. Respir. 2023, 3(1), 29-38; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor3010004 - 1 Mar 2023
Viewed by 9359
Abstract
Background: Effective communication between health care professionals, admitted patients, and their families is crucial to improving the health care outcomes and patient satisfaction. Hence, barriers to effective communication cause a lot of confusion, frustration, and misunderstanding. The study aimed to identify the perceived [...] Read more.
Background: Effective communication between health care professionals, admitted patients, and their families is crucial to improving the health care outcomes and patient satisfaction. Hence, barriers to effective communication cause a lot of confusion, frustration, and misunderstanding. The study aimed to identify the perceived barriers to effective communication between patients, their families, and health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in public hospitals in Limpopo Province. The study was conducted in rural areas of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. Methodology: A qualitative exploratory descriptive method was adopted to explore and describe the barriers of effective communication among patients, relatives, and health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in public hospitals in the Vhembe District. Eleven (11) participants were purposively selected. Unstructured in-depth individual interviews were used to collect data and analyzed using thematic analysis following Tesch’s eight steps. Results: The study findings revealed that there was ineffective communication by health care professionals. This was discussed under three themes that emerged: poor communication of diagnosis and prognosis and treatment outcomes; lack of accurate knowledge regarding the virus morphology, variant, and treatment protocols; and the inconsistencies in the dissemination of COVID-19 protocols. Conclusions: Full communication benefits both patients, relatives, and health care professionals as knowledge and understanding are enhanced through communication. Therefore, health care professionals should provide the patients and their relatives with full information about the disease and the visitation protocols to be followed. The study contribution was to explore barriers to effective communication to the patients and relatives by the health care professionals. Full article
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