In a Medicare cohort analysis, consisting of adults 65 years and older in the United States; the annual rates of diagnosis have increased by 8.7% every year between 2000 and 2007. This large increase in the diagnosis of bronchiectasis may be due to increased recognition of the disease (including more widespread use of CT scans) or it may be due to an increase in the underlying causes of bronchiectasis. History
René Laennec, the man who invented the stethoscope, used his invention to first discover bronchiectasis in 1819.The disease was researched in greater detail by Sir William Osler, one of the four founding professors of Johns Hopkins Hospital, in the late 1800s. It is suspected that Osler himself died of complications from undiagnosed bronchiectasis. His biographies mention that he had frequent severe chest infections for many years.The term "bronchiectasis" comes from the Greek words bronkhia (meaning "airway") and ektasis (meaning "widening"). References


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Today, Alcon has operations in 75 countries and its products are sold in over 180 countries. Nestlé conducted an initial public offering of 25% of its stake in Alcon in 2002. The stock is traded under the ticker symbol ALC. In July 2008, Novartis purchased approximately 25% of Nestlés stake in Alcon, with an option to buy Nestlés remaining shares beginning in 2010. Novartis bought 52% stake from Nestlé for $28.1 Billion. This deal brought the total ownership of Alcon by Novartis to 77%. Beginning January 2010 Novartis formally announced it will be completing the exercise options for finishing purchasing the rest of Alcon and then promptly continue to exercise merger and takeover of Alcon.On March 29, 2010, Alcon acquired Durezol and Zyclorin from Sirion Therapeutics. Alcon received regulatory approval to acquire the rights of Durezol emulsion in the US and the global rights, excluding Latin America, for Zyclorin from Sirion Therapeutics.On June 28, 2010, Alcons Independent Director Committee announced that a recommendation by the committee was an indispensable first step before the board of the company can decide on the merger proposal of Novartis AG, refuted Novartis’ public implications that it would be able to unilaterally impose the merger irrespective of the Independent Director Committees position once Novartis became Alcons majority shareholder. On July 8, 2010, Alcons independent director committee (IDC) had set up a $50 million litigation trust to ensure companys minority shareholders get the best deal from bidder Novartis AG.On April 9, 2019, Alcon completed a 100% spin-off from Novartis.