In classical pharmacology, drug-receptor interactions are considered under static conditions. A relatively new concept, mechanopharmacology, differs in that the normal mechanical environment of a tissue is a factor, with potentially significant impacts on function. 

When can taking photos help resolve a health crisis? When your mission is to educate and change people’s minds about the way things really are. Photojournalist Ed Kashi does just that as he takes on issues that stir his passions about the state of humanity.

Scientific leaders agree there is climate change; political leaders do not. But speakers at Monday’s Global Perspectives on Climate Change said medical professionals have a responsibility to educate and protect patients against the health problems directly related to climate change.

In the 50 years since the NIH’s Division of Lung Diseases (DLD) launched, it has facilitated groundbreaking science that is leading to improved outcomes for lung diseases, such as asthma, respiratory distress syndrome in neonates, COPD, and ARDS.

Don’t miss the final two days of the ATS Keynote Series on Tuesday and Wednesday as speakers explore evidence for value-based care in pulmonary medicine, look at enhancing diversity and inclusion in academic medicine, and outline what pulmonologists should know about artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Evidence-based medicine holds considerable weight, but it is not without controversy. Many controversies surround the diagnosis and management of common conditions encountered in clinical practice.

Research in pulmonary arterial hypertension has reached a turning point in several areas. Should research continue its quest to find novel PAH genes? Should it continue to employ animal models? These topics and more will be debated Tuesday morning to help clarify the alternatives and chart future research.

This year’s ATS Clinical Practice Guidelines will spotlight the latest evidence-based clinical recommendations on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, malignant pleural effusions, obesity in OSA, fungal infections, and pediatric supplemental oxygen.

Over the past few years, knowledge of the complement system has expanded, and researchers have identified several complement proteins as being synthesized in the lung and by key immune cells such as CD4+ T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and innate lymphoid cells. These cells play crucial roles in affecting the local microenvironment. In addition, recent studies have shown that complement proteins can modulate cell survival, polarization, and fate.