Februari 2006

Address for correspondence

Members

Research units
   Interstitial lung diseases, tuberculosis and lung function aspects
   Respiratory muscles and revalidation
   Lung toxicology 
   Asthma-Inflammation
   Lung transplantation
   Respiratory oncology
   Polysomnography
   Pulmonary circulation

Scientific meetings

Scientific publications

External chairs
 
 
 
 
 

Address for correspondence

         Laboratory of Pneumology 
         Campus Gasthuisberg 
         Onderwijs en Navorsing 
         7th floor 
         Herestraat 49
         B-3000 Leuven BELGIUM 
         tel:  +32 16 34 47 07 to 25
         fax: +32 16 34 71 24 
                +32 16 34 68 03 
         email: pneumology@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
 
 

Members

     Full members

     Academic (full time): 
        M. Demedts (head), M. Decramer, B. Nemery, G. Verleden, M. Delcroix,
       J. Vansteenkiste, L. Dupont, K. Nackaerts, B. Buyse, R. Gosselink,
       T. Troosters, G. Gayan-Ramirez, P. Hoet
     Clinical (full time): 
        P. Van Bleyenbergh, C. Dooms, A. van den Eeckhout, V. Lemaigre
     Clinical (part time): 
        P. Van den Brande, L. Schrevens, M. Thomeer
      Technical and administrative: 
        F. Rochette, H. Vanhooren, Y. Dewandeleer, E. Lahousse, A. Vandeborne

     Temporary members

        A. Breyssens, L. Jiang, J. Vanoirbeek, B. Vanaudenaerde,
        S. Janssen,  D. Testelmans, E. Smeyers, E. Vandevelde,
        V. De Broyer, B. Anrijs, M. Vanhoven, K. Maes, T. Crul, N. Gosselin,
        T. Nawrot, J. Geys, S. Keirsebilck, R. Quarck, C. Oyen,
        R. Schildermans, R. Van Puijenbroek, S. Louwette, D. Saey, V. De Vooght,
        L. Thomassen, K. Pat 
 

     Other collaborators

        M. Cauberghs 
 
 

Research units

Interstitial lung diseases, tuberculosis and lung function aspects 
      (M.Demedts, P. Van Bleyenbergh, M. Thomeer, P. Van den Brande)

Interstitial lung diseases (M. Thomeer. M. Demedts)

Epidemiologic survey on interstitial lung disease

Role of pertechnegasscintigraphy in assessment of disease activity

Comparison of HRCT and histologic diagnostic assessment

Prognostic factors in interstitial lung disease

Evaluation of new therapeutic regimens in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Lung Function (M. Demedts)

Functional-anatomic correlation in upper airway obstruction

Lung function and blood gases at high altitude

Reversibility testing during quiet and forced breathing manoeuvres

Tuberculosis and respiratory infections (P. Van den Brande, P. Van Bleyenbergh, A. van den Eeckhout, M. Demedts)

Relationship between tuberculosis skin test and lymphocyte transformation test

Prevalence and incidence of tuberculosis in risk groups

Clinical pattern of tuberculosis in elderly

Role invasive techniques in diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia

Ventilator-associated pneumonia in surgical patients

COPD, respiratory muscles and rehabilitation (M.Decramer, R.Gosselink)

       Mechanism of airway obstruction in emphysema. 
       Effect of LVRS on respiratory muscles and mechanics in emphysematous
       hamsters.
       Expression of immunological markers of airway disease. 
       Effect of systemic inflammation on ventilatory and peripheral muscles in
       COPD. 
       Telemedicine and telematics in patients with COPD:
         Prevention of hospitalisation. Treatment of COPD exacerbation
       Effect of NAC on longterm outcone in COPD. 
       Effect of viozan on outcome in COPD. 
       Diagnosis of COPD in general practitioner setting. 
       Effect of training on expression of transcriptionfactors in respiratory
       muscles.
       Effect of cytokines on effects of training in patients with COPD. 
       Effect of creatine on effects of training in patients with COPD. . 
       Clinical results of rehabilitation in Belgium. 
       Effect of cardiac failure on respiratory muscles in animal models. 
       Effect of mechanical ventilation on respiratory muscles in animals.
       Generegulation and trophic status of the respiratory muscles. 
 

Lung toxicology (B. Nemery, P. Hoet)

      Mechanisms in pulmonary toxicology
         in vitro toxicology, 
         immunotoxicology: low molecular weight agents (metals, chemicals)
         cardio-vascular toxicology of particulates
      Clinical-epidemiological research
         asbestos-induced disorders 
         asthma in children
         occupational asthma
         occasional surveys & investigations 
         multiple chemical sensitivity
 
 

Airway inflammation (G.Verleden, L. Dupont)
      In vitro experiments
          In vitro experiments on neurotransmission and modulation of
          neurotransmission in guinea-pig and human airways.
          Effect of opioids, diuretics, 5-HT agonists/antagonists on airway smooth
          muscle contraction in human and animal airways.
          Mechanisms of G-protein coupled receptor regulation and gene
          expression by means of biochemical (Ca2+-release and IPx formation)
          and molecular biology techniques.
          Regulation of histamine H1 receptor coupling and gene transcription in
          bovine airway smooth muscle by phorbol esters and histamine. 
          Studies on the receptor cross-talk between ß2 and histamine H1
          receptors on bovine and human airways.
          The effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on neurotransmission,
          contractility and receptor gene expression in human and animal airways 
          C-C chemokine gene and protein expression in cultured bronchial
          epithelial cells, isolated tracheal smooth muscle cells and mechanisms
          of modulation.
      Asthma - COPD 
           Bronchodilator-induced changes in inspiratory and expiratory lung
           densitometry by high resolution computed tomography in patients with
           COPD and asthma (in collaboration with M. Demedts and
           J. Verschakelen)
           Measurement of Nitric Oxide (NO) in exhaled air in asthma: correlation
           with airway hyperreactivity & atopy and value in diagnosis and monitoring
           of asthma.
           Assessment of asthma by means of non-invasive markers of airway
               inflammation: sputum eosinophils, exhaled nitric oxide, 8-isoprostane in
               breath condensate
              Symptom perception in asthma: identification of factors underlying
           over-and underperception
           Outcome evaluation of an individualized program for asthma
           self-management
           Non-adherence in asthma
           Management of difficult asthma

Lung transplantation (G. Verleden, L. Dupont)

       Pathophysiologic of obliterative bronchiolitis
         Assessment of chronic rejection in lung transplant recipients: role of noninvasive
         markers

Respiratory oncology (J.Vansteenkiste, K.Nackaerts, C. Dooms, L. Schrevens)

       Heparan sulphate proteoglycans in malignantly transformed cells.
       Neovascularisation in bronchogenic carcinoma.
       Role of PET-scan in evaluation of pulmonary coin lesions and staging.
       Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in NSCLC (IALT).
       Preoperative induction chemotherapy in NSCLC (EORTC): efficiency,
       morbidity and mortality.
       Chemotherapy trials in NSCLC and in SCLC.
       Hormonal palliative treatment in NSCLC.
       In Vivo study of chemoresistance (PGP, MRP) with nuclear studies.
       Changes in lung volumes and diffusing capacity following radiotherapy

Polysomnography (B.Buyse)

       Studies on lung function regulation of breathing and sleep related disorders
       in MS and in obesity.
       Correlation between lung function and polysomnography in pulmonary and
       neuromuscular pathology:
            influence of oxygen, cPAP, and noninvasive ventilation.
       Sleep disturbances in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary circulation (M.Delcroix)

       Study on epidemiology and mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension.
       Effect of NO-synthase gentransfer on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.
       Experimental research on mechanical changes after induced pulmonary
       emboli.
 
 
 
 

Scientific meetings

      Laboratory meetings

          Monthly on Wednesday afternoon from september till june.
          at 13:00  IG 2.73 UZ Gasthuisberg

          Program:  zie Agenda op onze website:
          http://intranet/medische.diensten/Pneumologie/Pneumologie.html

                      
 

      Thoraxseminars

          Thursday 19h30-22h00, GA1 Gasthuisberg
          Program:
                   17-11-2005 Longcirculatie
                   23-02-2006 Tuberculose (Pentalfa)
                   15-06-2006 Astma (inclusief beroepsastma)
                   09-11-2006 Nieuw in endoscopie

    International symposium pneumology KULeuven

          23-3-2000 tem 25-3-2000: Interstitial Lung Disease
          29-3-2001 tem 31-3-2001: Respiratory Oncology
          7-3-2002 tem 9-3-2002: Pulmonary Vascular Pathology
          20-3-2003 tem 22-3-2003: Surgery for Non-neoplastic Disorders
                                                of the Chest: a Clinical Update
          11-3-2004 tem 13-3-2004: COPD: a Clinical Update
          17-3-2005 tem 19-3-2005: Pulmonary Manifestations of
                                                Systemic Diseases: a Clinical Update
          16-3-2006 tem 18-3-2006: Respiratory Somnology: a Clinical Update

Scientific publications

          List of publications and reprints can be ordered at
          pneumologie secretariaat@uz.kuleuven.ac.be


 
 
 
 

External chairs

       M. Demedts: Fonds Prof. A. Gyselen in de Pneumologie en Ftisiologie
       M. Decramer: Astra Leerstoel in Respiratoire Pathofysiologie
       J. Vansteenkiste: Eli Lilly L. Hertel Chair in Respiratory Oncology
       J. Vansteenkiste: Amgen Fund in Supportive Care of Cancer
       G. Verleden: Glaxo Leerstoel in de Pulmonale Farmacologie
       M. Delcroix: Actelion Leerstoel voor Pulmonale Hypertensie
       B. Nemery: Paul Tuytens Leerstoel voor Toxicologie