Objective Oncostatin M (OSM) is produced by activated T cells, monocytes, and dendritic
cells and signals through two distinct receptor complexes consisting of gp130 and LIFR (I) or …

Background Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast and the most frequent
cryptococcal species found in humans. Cryptococcosis is considered an opportunistic infection …

Background: In patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anaemia
is common and associated with impaired long‐term survival and quality of life. Whether …

Objective Vascular injury and endothelial cell (EC) activation are pathogenic hallmarks of
systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma). Human CD90 is highly expressed on activated ECs …

It is generally known that cigarette smoke alters the activation of alveolar macrophages (AM).
CC Chemokine Ligand 18 (CCL18) is a marker of alternatively activated macrophages and …

Objective. Promising therapeutic approaches have emerged in chronic periaortitis, whereas
peripheral blood biomarkers are lacking. CC-chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) is known as a …

Background: In patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anaemia
is common and associated with impaired long-term survival and quality of life. Whether …

Background: IPF is a progressive interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology. The median
survival of patients with IPF is only two to three years. However the clinical course of IPF is …

Background: IPF is a progressive disease for which a median survival time of 2.8 years was
reported. However the clinical course of IPF is variable. Acute exacerbation (AE) is a major …

Background: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is frequently used in the diagnostic work-up of
patients with suspected interstitial lung diseases. BAL itself and processing of its recovered …