They reported a lower incidence of pneumonia (OR 0.39, 95 per cent c.i. 0.16 to 0.96), and lower levels of ICAM-1 and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (both markers of endothelial damage) in the salmeterol group, but no difference in the incidence of acute lung injury (ALI) (OR 1.25, 0.71 to 2.22). The gene discussed is ICAM1; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.