Thorax Podcast

The SUR-VAPES Study

In this podcast, Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor of Thorax BMJ, talks to Professor Lorenzo Loffredo, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. They discuss the impact of chronic use of heat-not-burn cigarettes on oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation. This is also known as the SUR-VAPES Chronic Study. Are these products safer than smoking?
Listen to a related podcast on smoking cessation at work and heated tobacco (https://soundcloud.com/bmjpodcasts/smoking-cessation-at-work-do-heated-tobacco-products-work)
Links to related papers:
https://thorax.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215900
https://thorax.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216253
https://thorax.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216743

Ivacaftor: Long term adherence and outcomes

The recent development of triple CFTR modulation means that up to 90% of people with CF will be eligible for ‘highly effective’ CFTR modulator therapy. In this podcast, Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor of Thorax, and Dr Peter Barry, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, discuss the long-term adherence to and effects of ivacaftor on lung function, weight and healthcare utilisation in people with cystic fibrosis and the Gly551Asp mutation.
Read the related paper: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/03/24/thoraxjnl-2020-215556

Meat Consumption and Childhood Wheeze: The implications of Western Diet

Multimedia Editor of Thorax, Rachael Moses, interviews Dr Sonali Bose, Faculty in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine and Sleep Medicine, New York. They discuss the relationship between western diet, particularly increased advanced glycation end product and meat consumption, in childhood wheeze and the public health implications of the findings.
Read the related articles:
https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2020/11/22/thoraxjnl-2020-216109
https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2020/11/25/thoraxjnl-2020-216369

Hormonal Contraception and severe asthma exacerbation: Is there a link?

In this podcast, the effect of hormonal contraception on the impact of severe asthma exacerbation in women of reproductive age is discussed.
Multimedia Editor of Thorax, Rachael Moses, interviews Dr Nwaru, Associate Professor of epidemiology, Krefting Research Centre, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, author of the longest longitudinal study investigating this impact in women with established asthma. (https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2020/10/15/thoraxjnl-2020-215540)

No Symptoms? Why wearing a mask still matters

We discuss the viral load of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and the potential protracted course of COVID-19 infection than initially thought. The data within this study further supports the use of face masks in the community to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
Read the paper: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2020/08/28/thoraxjnl-2020-215042

Behind the mask: COVID-19 exposure and viral carriage in healthcare workers

This podcast discusses the exposure and potential viral carriage of healthcare workers in a large UK Hospital. It also discusses the impact of exposure, the importance of personal protective equipment and how we can use the findings ot help prepare for future pandemics.
Read the article on the Thorax website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215414

COVID-19: In the footsteps of Ernest Shackleton

An expedition ship departed on an Antarctic cruise mid-March 2020 with no known COVID passengers or crew members. However after 8 days the first passenger became febrile and isolation procedures were followed. A further 24 members of the ship developed symptoms (some as late as 23 days later) with 8 requiring medical evacuation. Of the 217 passengers and crew on board, 128 tested positive for COVID-19 with 81% of those positive being asymptomatic. This paper demonstrates how quickly COVID-19 can spread as well as the high number of COVID positive people being asymptomatic showcasing the importance of testing in this group.
Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor Thorax BMJ, talks to the Professor Alvin Ing, Clinical Program Head, Respiratory and Cardiovascular Medicine, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia, and author of the paper published by Thorax (https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2020/05/27/thoraxjnl-2020-215091)

Childhood obstructive sleep apnoea: it’s more than a snore

Childhood obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an independent determinant of blood pressure in adulthood – a longitudinal follow-up study’ with host Rachael Moses and Dr Kate Chan, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
This podcast discusses the relationship between Childhood OSA and adverse BP in adulthood as well as the long term health implications and why it is important this is treated.
Read the paper on the Thorax website: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2020/03/23/thoraxjnl-2019-213692

Smoking in cars: how the recent ban is affecting young people in England and Scotland

Smoking with children in a car has been illegal since 2015 in England and 2016 in Scotland. This podcast explores the importance and impact of this ban on children and the important message it gives to the public to ensure smoking rates continue to fall. Listen to the conversation between Rachael Moses and Dr Anthony Laverty, Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK and lead author of https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2020/01/08/thoraxjnl-2019-213998

Overweight and out of breath: cause and effect?

In this podcast, Multimedia Editor of Thorax Rachael Moses, discusses with Dr Magnus Ekstrom, Lund University, Sweden, the key findings of a population-based study investigating the relationship between increased body mass index with breathlessness and lung function. Read the paper on the Thorax website: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/74/10/958.