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Thorax, the official journal of the British Thoracic Society, publishes influential clinical and experimental research in respiratory medicine, paediatrics, immunology, pharmacology, pathology, and surgery. The focus is on work that advances scientific understanding and impacts clinical practice. 
http://thorax.bmj.com/
* The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner’s judgement, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Thorax podcast

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

Ivacaftor: Long term adherence and outcomes

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

The SUR-VAPES Study

In this podcast, Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor of Thorax, is joined by Dr Makiko Kanai, National Hospital Organisation Kyoto Medical Center, Japan, to discuss how a smoking cessation pathway was trialed in a Japanese workplace using heated tobacco products.
Listen to a related podcast on the SUR-VAPES Study (https://soundcloud.com/bmjpodcasts/the-sur-vapes-study?in=bmjpodcasts/sets/thorax)
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

Smoking cessation at work: Do heated tobacco products work?

In this podcast Rachael Moses, MultiMedia Editor Thorax BMJ talks to Ms Laura Hidalgo Armas, OSI Araba Hospital University, Vitoria, Spain. They discuss the effectiveness of a new vibrational positional device located on the forehead on reducing the apnea-hypopnea index and total sleep time in the supine position for patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Links to related papers: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/04/21/thoraxjnl-2020-216167

Sleep Vibrations: Can a positional therapy device improve outcomes in obstructive sleep apnoea?

In this podcast, Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor of Thorax BMJ, talks to Professor James Trauer, Epidemiological Modelling Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. 
Tuberculosis is the world’s leading infectious disease killer with the BCG vaccine being the only approved vaccine for its control. The paper on hand was a systematic review of studies looking at the effect of BCG vaccination on TB disease, including sub-categories of TB disease. They discuss what makes this review different and the potential implications of the findings.
Read the related articles: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/05/18/thoraxjnl-2020-216794

The BCG Vaccine Programme: Are we getting it right?

In this podcast, we discuss the impact of Best Practice Tariffs (BPT) in improving outcomes for people with COPD admitted to hospital following an acute exacerbation. The key question was to understand if the combination of specialist review within 24 hours and a discharge care bundle incentivised by the English COPD BPT scheme was associated with improved mortality and readmission rates for those admitted with an acute exacerbation of COPD.
Thorax Multimedia Editor, Rachael Moses, talks to Philip Stone, from the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK.
Read the paper (https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/07/15/thoraxjnl-2021-216880) and subscribe to the Thorax Podcast on your favourite platform.

Do financial incentives improve key COPD outcomes?

In this podcast, Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor of Thorax BMJ, talks to Dr Ash Clift Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford.
The evidence surrounding COVID-19 has been conflicting and inconsistent. This podcast discusses the findings of this observational and Mendelian randomisation study using the UK Biobank cohort. The author discusses the findings with regards to the potential causal effect of cigarette smoking on the severity of COVID-19 infection and what this means for both the public and clinicians.
Related article: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/thoraxjnl/early/2021/09/12/thoraxjnl-2021-217080

Cigarettes and COVID-19: clearing the smoke

Do hospitalised COVID-19 patients receiving treatment with CPAP and HFNOT present a significant added risk of viral contamination to the surrounding environment used by healthcare workers?
And is there enough evidence to suggest or recommend levels of PPE that should be used for healthcare workers caring for patients on CPAP or HFNOT?
Two of the main questions this short podcast addresses. Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor Thorax BMJ, interviews Dr Chris Green, Consultant in Infectious Diseases & General (Internal) Medicine, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Read the two related papers:
SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination from hospitalised patients with COVID-19 receiving aerosol-generating procedures - https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/11/01/thoraxjnl-2021-218035
Coughs and sneezes spread diseases: but do ‘aerosol generating’ procedures? - https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2021/11/10/thoraxjnl-2021-218133

What are the risks from 'aerosol-generating procedures’ in the treatment of patients with COVID-19?

In this podcast, Rachael Moses, Multimedia Editor of Thorax BMJ, is joined by Professor Ashley Woodcock, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, The University of Manchester, UK, to discuss the paper "Effects of switching from a metered dose inhaler to a dry powder inhaler on climate emissions and asthma control: post-hoc analysis."
This paper was a secondary analysis of the Salford Lung Study in Asthma. In a real world study SLS asthma showed that a once daily combination treatment in a dry powder inhaler improved asthma control over one year, versus usual treatment. This secondary analysis looked at the impact on carbon footprint for those patients switching from a pressurised MDI to DPI treatment.

Better asthma control, half of the carbon footprint with climate-friendly inhalers

Welcome back to the Thorax Podcast, home to the discussion of new research and hot topics in respiratory research and clinical practice. In this first episode, we introduce you to the three new Editors of the Thorax journal: Dr. Mark Griffiths and Dr. Jennifer Quint, both from Imperial College London, and Dr. Cecilia O'Kane, from Queen's University Belfast. They outline plans for the Thorax journal, including the social media strategy and engaging readers and trainees. 

You'll also get to know a bit more about the two new social media editors of the journal, Dr. Puja Mehta, from University College London and Dr. Kate Diomede from Imperial College London, whose voices you'll get very familiar with over the coming months, as they are our two new podcast hosts.

Please engage in the conversation through the social media channels (Twitter - @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook - @Thorax.BMJ · Pulmonologist) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month.

If you enjoy the Thorax Podcast, please leave us a rating and a review on the Thorax Podcast page on iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thorax-podcast/id343304910.

The Thorax Podcast is back! Meet the new Editors

In this episode, Thorax social media editor Dr. Puja Mehta speaks with Professor Ian Hall, Director of the Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre and the University of Nottingham about his paper "Respiratory Research in the UK: investing for the next 10 years". They discuss some of the biggest challenges facing respiratory research in the UK, and why respiratory diseases need more investment. Read the paper here:
https://thorax.bmj.com/content/77/9/851

Please engage in the conversation through the social media channels (Twitter - @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook - @Thorax.BMJ · Pulmonologist) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month.

If you enjoy the Thorax Podcast, please leave us a rating and a review on the Thorax Podcast page on iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thorax-podcast/id343304910.

Respiratory research in the UK: investing for the next 10 years

Thorax social media editor, Dr. Puja Mehta, caught up with several Respiratory consultants from across the UK at the British Thoracic Society (BTS) Winter Meeting 2022, and asked them the question, 'What makes the Winter BTS meeting special?'

Please engage in the conversation through the social media channels (Twitter - @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook - @Thorax.BMJ · Pulmonologist) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month.

If you enjoy the Thorax Podcast, please leave us a rating and a review on the Thorax Podcast page on iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thorax-podcast/id343304910.

Live from the British Thoracic Society (BTS) Winter Meeting 2022

Dr. Kate Diomede, social media editor at Thorax, speaks with Dr. Anna Podolanczuk(1) and Dr. John Kim(2) about their article, "MUC5B, telomere length and longitudinal quantitative interstitial lung changes: the MESA Lung Study", published in Thorax:
https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2022/08/04/thorax-2021-218139

Please engage in the conversation through the social media channels (Twitter - @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook - @Thorax.BMJ · Pulmonologist) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month.

(1) Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
(2) Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

This episode was produced by Letícia Amorim and edited by Brian O'Toole.

If you enjoy the Thorax Podcast, please leave us a rating and a review on the Thorax Podcast page on iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thorax-podcast/id343304910.

MUC5B, telomere length and longitudinal quantitative interstitial lung changes: the MESA Lung Study

In this episode Dr. Kate Diomede, social media editor at Thorax, speaks with Prof. Andrew Bush(1) about the state of paediatric treatment for thoracic issues, including discussion of cystic fibrosis and asthma.

Hear the previous discussion with Prof. Ian Hall on the future of respiratory medicine: https://on.soundcloud.com/yb7pJ

(1) Consultant paediatric chest physician at Royal Brompton Hospital;
Professor of paediatric respirology, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London.

Please engage in the conversation through the social media channels (Twitter - @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook - @Thorax.BMJ · Pulmonologist) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month.

If you enjoy the Thorax Podcast, please leave us a rating and a review on the Thorax Podcast page on iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/thorax-podcast/id343304910.

Recent developments in paediatric therapy with Prof. Andrew Bush

Dr. Kate Diomede, social media editor at Thorax, is joined by Prof. Nick Hopkinson(1) to delve into the history of smoking policy in the UK, as well as detailing the lay of the land in current smoking-cessation practices, especially pertaining to vaping. 

Hear the previous discussion with Prof. Andrew Bush on recent developments in paediatric therapy: https://on.soundcloud.com/PY9Nz

(1) Prof. of Respiratory Medicine, Imperial College London,
Respiratory Consultant, Royal Brompton Hospital,
Associate Editor of Thorax,
Chair of ASH (Action on Smoking in Health) UK Charity
https://twitter.com/COPDdoc

Relevant papers and references:

Millennium cohort – child smoking uptake related to parents and peers smoking https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30442657/

Confirming the impact of standardised packaging
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33093164/

Effectiveness of ban on smoking in cars with children
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31988266/

Smoking and increased risk from COVID 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33402392/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34580193/

Javed Khan’s independent report commissioned by UK Govt: Making Smoking Obsolete
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-khan-review-making-smoking-obsolete/making-smoking-obsolete-summary

Cochrane systematic review suggests vaping is more effective for smoking cessation than NRT
https://www.cochrane.org/CD010216/TOBACCO_can-electronic-cigarettes-help-people-stop-smoking-and-do-they-have-any-unwanted-effects-when-used

Recent evidence update on risk of vaping for OHID concludes, “vaping poses only a small fraction of the risks of smoking.” 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nicotine-vaping-in-england-2022-evidence-update/nicotine-vaping-in-england-2022-evidence-update-summary

NICE guidance on nicotine vapes to help smokers quit https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng209/chapter/recommendations-on-treating-tobacco-dependence#stop-smoking-interventions

British Thoracic Society guidance on tobacco harm reduction
https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/document-library/governance-and-policy-documents/position-statements/tobacco-and-smoking-march-2020/

National Centre for Smoking Cessation Training
https://www.ncsct.co.uk/publication_Support_stop_vaping.php 

Cigarette Smoking: An Assessment of Tobacco's Global Environmental Footprint Across Its Entire Supply Chain
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.8b01533 

ASH: Use of e-cigarettes (vapes) among young people in Great Britain
https://ash.org.uk/uploads/Use-of-e-cigarettes-among-young-people-in-Great-Britain-2022.pdf

Competing interests: None declared.

Please engage in the conversation through the social media channels (Twitter - @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook - @Thorax.BMJ · Pulmonologist) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month.

Smoking and vaping: policy and challenges with Nick Hopkinson

Dr. Kate Diomede, social media editor at Thorax, is joined by Dr. Yasmin Thanavala (1) to discuss her group's recent research paper, "Not all vaping is the same: differential pulmonary effects of vaping cannabidiol versus nicotine". Their study used a using a mouse model of vaping and in vitro experiments with human cells. The paper is available online: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2023/04/02/thorax-2022-218743

Hear the previous discussion with Prof. Nick Hopkinson on policy relating to vaping and smoking: https://on.soundcloud.com/cjFhd

(1) Prof. Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA.

Please engage in the conversation through the social media channels (Twitter - @ThoraxBMJ; Facebook - @Thorax.BMJ · Pulmonologist) and subscribe on your preferred platform, to get the latest episodes directly on your device each month.

Not all vaping is the same: CBD vs nicotine

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

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

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

No Symptoms? Why wearing a mask still matters

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)

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

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

Thorax podcast

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