Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 30-year progress of research on exhaled breath condensate in a disease-based approach. Methods. We searched PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using the following keywords: exhaled breath condensate (EBC), biomarkers, pH, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), smoking, COPD, lung cancer, NSCLC, mechanical ventilation, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung diseases, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and drugs. Results. We found 12600 related articles in total in Google Scholar, 1807 in ScienceDirect, and 1081 in PubMed/Medline, published from 1980 to October 2014. 228 original investigation and review articles were eligible. Conclusions. There is rapidly increasing number of innovative articles, covering all the areas of modern respiratory medicine and expanding EBC potential clinical applications to other fields of internal medicine. However, the majority of published papers represent the results of small-scale studies and thus current knowledge must be further evaluated in large cohorts. In regard to the potential clinical use of EBC-analysis, several limitations must be pointed out, including poor reproducibility of biomarkers and absence of large surveys towards determination of reference-normal values. In conclusion, contemporary EBC-analysis is an intriguing achievement, but still in early stage when it comes to its application in clinical practice.

A single session of ECS had respiratory mechanical and inflammatory effects, which were more prominent in smokers with asthma.

Objectives: The purpose of this presentation is to describe two cases of teenage addiction to on-line gaming where the subjects required medical attention due to unintentional, self-inflicted injuries to the tongue and upper lip during the course of the game. Methods: Case study of two teenage boys, both aged 15, who attended the Specialized Outpatient Unit for Internet and PC Addiction in our Clinic, due to incessant on-line video-gaming that had a number of detrimental effects to their well-being. Results: The first teenager had repeatedly bitten his tongue due to stress experienced during gaming while the second had bitten his upper lip. In both cases their injuries required emergency medical assistance and thorough examinations for other possible causes (e.g spasms) for their injuries were negative. The first teenager was diagnosed with Internet Addiction Disorder and separation anxietypathological attachment to mother, he scored 78 on WISC-III. A behavioral intervention for separation anxiety and a CBT program for IAD was successful; his on-line gaming was limited to 2 hours/day on follow-up. The second teenager was diagnosed with IAD and co-morbid depressive disorder. Fluoxetine (30mg/day) was initiated and his mood improved while his computer usage time fell from 16 to 4 hours/day. A CBT program was initiated and he's under treatment with good progress. Conclusions: Teenagers addicted to on-line gaming can experience severe stress which they may instinctively attempt to alleviate with self-inflicted wounds. Co-morbidity with other psychiatric disorders should be carefully assessed. Treatment can be pharmaceutical or psychotherapeutic.