Josep Roca

Bio: Josep Roca is an academic researcher from University of Barcelona. The author has contributed to research in topics: COPD & Population. The author has an hindex of 84, co-authored 420 publications receiving 24061 citations. Previous affiliations of Josep Roca include Polytechnic University of Catalonia & Carlos III Health Institute.

An official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement: update on limb muscle dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract: Background: Limb muscle dysfunction is prevalent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it has important clinical implications, such as reduced exercise tolerance, quality of life, and even survival. Since the previous American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) statement on limb muscle dysfunction, important progress has been made on the characterization of this problem and on our understanding of its pathophysiology and clinical implications.Purpose: The purpose of this document is to update the 1999 ATS/ERS statement on limb muscle dysfunction in COPD.Methods: An interdisciplinary committee of experts from the ATS and ERS Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Clinical Problems assemblies determined that the scope of this document should be limited to limb muscles. Committee members conducted focused reviews of the literature on several topics. A librarian also performed a literature search. An ATS methodologist provided advice to the committee, ensuring that the methodological ...

Standardization of the measurement of transfer factor (diffusing capacity)

Abstract: ### 1.1 What is being measured The lung is the organ of external respiration for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and the surrounding air. The stages in the process of gas transfer include: 1. Ventilation of the airways and some air spaces by bulk flow of gas; 2. Mixing and diffusion of gases in the alveolar ducts, air sacs and alveoli; 3. Transfer of gases across the gaseous to liquid interface of the alveolar membrane; 4. Mixing and diffusion in the lung parenchyma and alveolar capillary plasma; 5. Chemical reaction with constituents of blood; 6. Circulation of blood between the pulmonary and systemic vascular beds. The capacity of the lung to exchange gas is determined by the structural and functional dimensions of these processes. The structural dimensions include the lung volume, the path length for diffusion in the gas phase, the thickness and area of the alveolar capillary membrane including any effects of airway closure, and the volume of blood in capillaries supplying alveoli which are ventilated. The principal functional dimensions are the absolute levels of ventilation and perfusion and the uniformity of their distribution with respect to both each other and the diffusion characteristics of the membrane. Other functional dimensions are the quantity of haemoglobin in the alveolar capillaries, the composition of the alveolar gas, the gas tensions in blood entering the alveolar capillaries, the rates of chemical reaction with haemoglobin and of dissociation of the compound so formed, the transit time of blood through that part of the pulmonary vascular bed which exchanges gas with the alveoli and the slope of the relevant haemoglobin dissociation curve. The latter is a function of the temperature of the lung and the prevailing levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen ions and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate; many of these variables are dependent on the level of …

Personalised Prehabilitation in High-risk Patients Undergoing Elective Major Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Blinded Controlled Trial.

Abstract: Objective:The aim of this study was to assess the impact of personalized prehabilitation on postoperative complications in high-risk patients undergoing elective major abdominal surgery.Summary Background Data:Prehabilitation, including endurance exercise training and promotion of physical activity,

Spirometric reference values from a Mediterranean population.

Abstract: Maximal expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves were measured in 1044 healthy nonsmoking volunteers living in the Barcelona area, as part of a larger interhospital project to obtain reference values of pulmonary function tests. Forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, %, forced maximal mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75%), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and maximal expiratory flow at 50 and 75% of FVC (MEF50% and MEF25% respectively) were obtained and expressed at BTPS conditions. Techniques and equipments followed both the recommendations of the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and of the European Community for Coal and Steel (ECCS). Prediction equations for age 20 through 70 were calculated for both sexes from a final sample composed of 870 adult subjects, 443 males and 427 females. Simple linear equations using height, age and body weight predicted all spirometric variables as well as more complex equations except MEF25%. Logarithmic equations were proposed for MEF25% to correct for the heteroscedasticity shown in a simple linear model. To our knowledge, this study provides reliable spirometric equations from a large urban Mediterranean sample which were lacking so far in the literature.

Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: GOLD executive summary.

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major public health problem. It is the fourth leading cause of chronic morbidity and mortality in the United States, and is projected to rank fifth in 2020 in burden of disease worldwide, according to a study published by the World Bank/World Health Organization. Yet, COPD remains relatively unknown or ignored by the public as well as public health and government officials. In 1998, in an effort to bring more attention to COPD, its management, and its prevention, a committed group of scientists encouraged the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the World Health Organization to form the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Among the important objectives of GOLD are to increase awareness of COPD and to help the millions of people who suffer from this disease and die prematurely of it or its complications. The first step in the GOLD program was to prepare a consensus report, Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of COPD, published in 2001. The present, newly revised document follows the same format as the original consensus report, but has been updated to reflect the many publications on COPD that have appeared. GOLD national leaders, a network of international experts, have initiated investigations of the causes and prevalence of COPD in their countries, and developed innovative approaches for the dissemination and implementation of COPD management guidelines. We appreciate the enormous amount of work the GOLD national leaders have done on behalf of their patients with COPD. Despite the achievements in the 5 years since the GOLD report was originally published, considerable additional work is ahead of us if we are to control this major public health problem. The GOLD initiative will continue to bring COPD to the attention of governments, public health officials, health care workers, and the general public, but a concerted effort by all involved in health care will be necessary.

Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning

Abstract: Probability Distributions.- Linear Models for Regression.- Linear Models for Classification.- Neural Networks.- Kernel Methods.- Sparse Kernel Machines.- Graphical Models.- Mixture Models and EM.- Approximate Inference.- Sampling Methods.- Continuous Latent Variables.- Sequential Data.- Combining Models.

2015 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension: The Joint Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS): Endorsed by: Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology (AEPC), International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT).

Abstract: ALAT : alanine aminotransferase ASAT : aspartate aminotransferase APAH : associated pulmonary arterial hypertension BAS : balloon atrial septostomy BMPR2 : bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 BNP : brain natriuretic peptide BPA : balloon pulmonary angioplasty BREATHE : Bosentan