Lung Blood Research Articles

Safety of Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy on the Sheep with Pulmonary Cystic Echinococcosis: A Preliminary Study.

Radiotherapy showed the potential to effectively kill the cysts of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis (CE). However, little is known about its safety. This study was designed to investigate the safety of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) on the normal lung tissue adjacent to the cyst and blood of sheep naturally infected with pulmonary CE. Twenty pulmonary CE sheep were randomly divided into control group (n = 5) and radiation groups with a dose of 30 Gray (Gy) (n = 5), 45Gy (n = 5), and 60Gy (n = 5), respectively. Animals in control group received no radiation. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), tumor growth factor-β (TGF-β), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in the lung tissues adjacent to the cysts, which were considered to be closely related to the pathogenesis of CE, were evaluated after 3D-CRT. A routine blood test was conducted. The results showed that there were multiple cysts of various sizes with protoscoleces in the lung tissues of sheep, and necrotic cysts were found after 3D-CRT. 3D-CRT significantly increased the mRNA level of Hsp70, enhanced the protein level of TGF-β and slightly increased the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in lung tissues adjacent to the cysts. 3D-CRT did not significantly alter the amount of WBC, HB and PLT in sheep blood. The results suggested that 3D-CRT may suppress the inflammation and induce less damage of the normal lung tissues and blood. We preliminarily showed that 3D-CRT under a safe dose may be used to treat pulmonary CE.

Doctors' Choice of Rehabilitation Measures for Patients Who Have Suffered Covid-19

Relevance. According to WHO, the number of patients with a new coronavirus infection amounted to more than 676 million people for the period from January 2020 to January 2023. It is obvious that the consequences of COVID-19 will prevail in medical practice in the coming years, so medical rehabilitation should be the focus of attention when providing medical care to patients with coronavirus infection.Aims. To investigate the approach to physicians' selection of rehabilitation interventions for patients who have undergone Covid-19.Materials and methods. The analysis of 1832 case histories of patients of one of the temporary covid hospitals in Moscow, who are being treated in the hospital in 2020–2022, was carried out. Statistical analysis was carried out using the StatTech v. 3.1.3 program (developed by Stattech LLC, Russia). Predictive models characterizing adherence to rehabilitation measures were developed using the logistic regression method.Results and discussions. The analysis of predictors of statistically significant regression models showed that when deciding on the appointment of rehabilitation measures or additional consultation when a patient is discharged from the hospital, doctors rely on pathologies already present in patients before COVID-19 disease, without taking into account the occurrence of possible pathology after a new coronavirus infection in any organ system. For example, the appointment of a cardiologist's consultation increases 6 times in the presence of a history of cardiovascular diseases or atherosclerosis and 10 times in the presence of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis at the same time. The presence of bronchial asthma increased the probability of consulting a pulmonologist by almost 3 times, and in the absence of diabetes mellitus, the probability of getting additional advice from an endocrinologist decreased by 11 times.Conclusions. An individual rehabilitation plan should take into account the severity of the COVID-19 disease, the degree of damage to the lung tissue, heart, blood vessels and other organs. The regression models can be used for economic analysis in order to identify the need for working hours and the number of medical workers necessary to ensure the optimal volume and effectiveness of rehabilitation measures for patients who have suffered a new coronavirus infection.

Effect of vaccination route (intradermal vs. intramuscular) against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome using a modified live vaccine on systemic and mucosal immune response and virus transmission in pigs

BackgroundPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a viral disease with worldwide distribution and an enormous economic impact. To control PRRS virus (PRRSV) infection, modified live vaccines (MLVs) are widely used in the field, mainly administered via an intramuscular (IM) route. Currently, some MLVs are authorized for intradermal (ID) administration, which has many practical and welfare advantages. The objectives of the study were to compare the immune responses (systemic in blood and mucosal in lungs) and vaccine efficacy in preventing challenge strain transmission after IM or needle-free ID immunization of piglets with an MLV against PRRSV-1 (MLV1).MethodsGroups of sixteen 5-week-old specific pathogen-free piglets were vaccinated with Porcilis PRRS® (MSD) either by an IM (V+ IM) or ID route (V+ ID) using an IDAL®3G device or kept unvaccinated (V-). Four weeks after vaccination, in each group, 8 out of the 16 piglets were challenged intranasally with a PRRSV-1 field strain, and one day later, the inoculated pigs were mingled by direct contact with the remaining 8 sentinel noninoculated pigs to evaluate PRRSV transmission. Thus, after the challenge, each group (V+ IM, V+ ID or V-) included 8 inoculated and 8 contact piglets. During the postvaccination and postchallenge phases, PRRSV replication (RT–PCR), PRRSV-specific antibodies (ELISA IgG and IgA, virus neutralization tests) and cell-mediated immunity (ELISPOT Interferon gamma) were monitored in blood and bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs).ResultsPostvaccination, vaccine viremia was lower in V+ ID pigs than in V+ IM pigs, whereas the cell-mediated immune response was detected earlier in the V+ ID group at 2 weeks postvaccination. In the BAL fluid, a very low mucosal immune response (humoral and cellular) was detected. Postchallenge, the vaccine efficacy was similar in inoculated animals with partial control of PRRSV viremia in V+ ID and V+ IM animals. In vaccinated sentinel pigs, vaccination drastically reduced PRRSV transmission with similar estimated transmission rates and latency durations for the V+ IM and V+ ID groups.ConclusionsOur results show that the tested MLV1 induced a faster cell-mediated immune response after ID immunization two weeks after vaccination but was equally efficacious after IM or ID immunization towards a challenge four weeks later. Considering the practical and welfare benefits of ID vaccination, these data further support the use of this route for PRRS MLVs.

Efficacy observation of erythropoietin on sepsis complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome

This study is to evaluate the efficacy of erythropoietin in treating sepsis-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). One hundred patients with sepsis-related ARDS were randomized into the placebo group and Erythropoietin (EPO) group. Patients in the placebo group received saline as placebo on the standard therapy, while the EPO group received recombinant human erythropoietin injections on the standard therapy. It was found that the heart rate and mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly between days 7 and 14 after treatment initiation (p > 0.05). The partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and oxygenation index levels measured on days 7 and 14 were significantly higher than the placebo group and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) was significantly lower than the placebo group (p < 0.05). Lung capacity and functional residual capacity (and FRC) increased significantly in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (p < 0.05). In the EPO group, the duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly shorter and the mortality rate was significantly reduced (Log-Rank test, χ2 = 4.651, p = 0.031). The results confirm that EPO significantly improves lung function and blood gas parameters, reduces serum levels of inflammatory markers, and reduces the risk of death in sepsis-induced ARDS patients, highlighting the potential therapeutic role of EPO in the management of this disease.

Prospective Study on the Association Between Blood Heavy Metal Levels and Pulmonary Function in University Students from a Medical College in Shandong Province, China.

This study aimed to examine the blood concentrations of selected heavy metals, their corresponding pulmonary functions, and their interrelationship with university students. This prospective study, conducted from September 2019 to September 2020, encompassed 593 university students. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires regarding demographic factors and underwent lung function testing and blood mercury analysis at two distinct intervals: an initial assessment and a follow-up examination. Pulmonary function was assessed using Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume in one second, and Peak Expiratory Flow. The blood concentrations of various heavy metals were determined through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Notable disparities in pulmonary function emerged among university students when categorized by gender, Body Mass Index, physical activity, and seafood consumption frequency, all showing statistical significance (p<0.05). Blood levels of Pb, Mn, Co, and Ni exhibited diverse patterns and extents of correlation with pulmonary function (p<0.05 in each instance). Specifically, a positive correlation was observed with blood Pb levels, while Mn, Co, and Ni levels were inversely correlated with pulmonary function (p<0.01 for both observations). This study uncovered significant and complex relationships between the blood concentrations of individual heavy metals and pulmonary function in university students. These findings highlight the need for further research to elucidate these associations in greater detail.

Uticaj bioklimatskih uslova planine Zlatibor na zdravstveni turizam

Introduction: Bioclimatic conditions are of great importance for all forms of tourism, especially for health tourism, as they should encompass therapeutic and prophylactic characteristics. Over the last three decades, tourism in Zlatibor has been continuously growing in terms of tourist numbers and the development of tourist infrastructure. This paper presents the bioclimatic and climatic conditions on Mount Zlatibor from the perspective of their impact on tourism. More precisely, it examines their influence on tourist movements on this mountain and their significance for the development of health tourism. Materials and Methods: Research data were obtained through the analysis of temperature, air pressure, humidity, insolation, and precipitation levels. Based on these data, physiological equivalent temperature (PET) values and the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) were calculated. Results: The obtained results of bioclimatic indices (PET and UTCI) indicate potential stress due to extreme cold in the mornings and evenings from late October to the second decade of March. Pleasant warmth prevails during the summer months in the mornings and evenings. In terms of health, the climate of Zlatibor is suitable for maintaining health, as well as for treating various lung diseases, anemia, heart and blood vessel disorders, especially thyroid disorders. Bioclimatic conditions closely correlate with tourist movements on Zlatibor, as evidenced by climate data and the results obtained from PET and UTCI calculations. Conclusion: Comparing tourist numbers over a five-year period reveals that bioclimatic conditions significantly influence Zlatibor's peak tourist season, which occurs during the summer months. This period offers the most favorable bioclimatic conditions, attracting the highest number of visitors to the mountain, especially those seeking health and recreational activities.

An Overview of Hematologic Emergencies in Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hematological disorder characterized by a form of hemoglobin called HbS. This results in the formation of rigid crescent-shaped red blood cells and various complications, including emergencies related to the blood. This literature review provides an overview of these emergencies, focusing on their signs, diagnostic methods, and current treatment approaches. The main feature of SCA, hemolysis, contributes to vaso-oclusive crises, where small blood vessels become blocked and cause tissue damage due to reduced blood flow. Early identification through parameters and advanced imaging techniques like magnetic resonance imaging plays a role in effective management. Acute chest syndrome, an emergency involving blocked lung blood vessels, requires recognition and aggressive treatment that includes oxygen therapy, pain relief measures, and transfusions if necessary. The increased risk of stroke in individuals with SCA necessitates detection using doppler ultrasonography, especially in pediatric patients who may benefit from long-term transfusion therapy for prevention purposes. Comprehensive care for SCA patients goes beyond managing crisis situations and includes vaccinations, genetic counseling services well, and patient education. Exciting advancements in SCA management, such as gene therapy, offer options for the future. The review highlights the importance of taking an approach to address emergencies in SCA, which involves leveraging clinical expertise conducting laboratory investigations, and exploring innovative therapies. As researchers delve deeper into the intricacies of this condition, the path to care keeps advancing in a direction. This progress brings optimism for outcomes and an improved quality of life.

CompCorona: A web application for comparative transcriptome analyses of coronaviruses reveals SARS-CoV-2-specific host response.

Understanding the mechanism of host transcriptomic response to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is crucial, especially for patients suffering from long-term effects of COVID-19, such as long COVID or pericarditis inflammation, potentially linked to side effects of the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. We conducted comprehensive transcriptome and enrichment analyses on lung and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) infected with SARS-CoV-2, as well as on SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, to uncover shared pathways and elucidate their common disease progression and viral replication mechanisms. We developed CompCorona, the first interactive online tool for visualizing gene response variance among the family Coronaviridae through 2D and 3D principal component analysis (PCA) and exploring systems biology variance using pathway plots. We also made preprocessed datasets of lungs and PBMCs infected by SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV publicly available through CompCorona. One remarkable finding from the lung and PBMC datasets for infections by SARS-CoV-2, but not infections by other coronaviruses (CoVs), was the significant downregulation of the angiogenin (ANG) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) genes, both directly involved in epithelial and vascular endothelial cell dysfunction. Suppression of the TNF signaling pathway was also observed in cells infected by SARS-CoV-2, along with simultaneous activation of complement and coagulation cascades and pertussis pathways. The ribosome pathway was found to be universally suppressed across all three viruses. The CompCorona online tool enabled the comparative analysis of 9 preprocessed host transcriptome datasets of cells infected by CoVs, revealing the specific host response differences in cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This included identifying markers of epithelial dysfunction via interactive 2D and 3D PCA, Venn diagrams, and pathway plots. Our findings suggest that infection by SARS-CoV-2 might induce pulmonary epithelial dysfunction, a phenomenon not observed in cells infected by other CoVs. The publicly available CompCorona tool, along with the preprocessed datasets of cells infected by various CoVs, constitutes a valuable resource for further research into CoV-associated syndromes.

Analysis of expression profile of long non-coding RNA in patients with idiopathic and COVID-19-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Introduction. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) comprises an interstitial lung disease with unclear pathogenesis, rapid progression, and no effective treatment. Pulmonary fibrosis is reported to be one of the most severe complications induced by a new coronavirus infection COVID-19. The mechanisms triggering pulmonary fibrosis and leading to its rapid progression remain substantially unclear. Evidence suggests that immune and genetic factors contribute to the development of this disease. Among the latter, the role of long non-coding RNAs (dnRNAs) has been actively studied to date. Materials and methods. Considering the role of TP53TG1, LINC00342, H19, MALAT1, DNM3OS, and MEG3 dnRNAs as regulators of signaling pathways associated with fibroblast activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, the authors analyzed the expression level of selected dnRNAs in lung tissue and blood mononuclear cells of patients with IPF (N = 12), post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (N = 14), and in control group (N = 27). Results and discussion. Blood mononuclear cells in patients with IPF and post-COVID-19 PF revealed similar patterns of TP53TG1 and MALAT1 dnRNA expression. The level of relative expression of MALAT1 was significantly higher in patients with IPF (Fold Change=3.207, P = 0.0005) and with post-COVID-19 PF (Fold Change=9.854, P = 0.0003), while the relative expression level of TP53TG1 reduced in patients with IPF (Fold Change=0.4308, P = 0.0313) and with post-COVID-19 PF (Fold Change=0.1888, P = 0.0003 in blood mononuclear cells, Fold Change=0.1791, P = 0.0237 in lung tissue). Increased expression of DNM3OS in blood mononuclear cells (Fold Change=12.899, P = 0.0016) and lung tissue (Fold Change=9.527, P = 0.0001), LINC00342 (Fold Change=2.221, P = 0.0309) in blood mononuclear cells was revealed only in patients with IPF. Conclusion. Evaluation of the dnRNA expression profile of TP53TG1, LINC00342, MALAT1 and DNM3OS in blood mononuclei can be used as an informative and non-invasive biomarker in IPF and post COVID-19 PF.

Clinical efficacy and safety of Panax notoginseng saponins in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with blood hypercoagulability: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundPanax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are the primary active components of an ancient Chinese herb Panax notoginseng. Hypercoagulable state of blood (HCS) is an independent risk factor and a cause of death in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several vivo studies have demonstrated the use of PNS preparations for treating COPD with HCS. PurposeThis study aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of PNS preparations in treating COPD with HCS. Study DesignMeta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to review data. MethodsRCTs on the treatment of COPD with HCS and PNS preparations were searched from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Vip Information Database, Wanfang data, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Relevant data were extracted from the included studies and methodological quality evaluation was performed. R language (version 4.2.3) was applied for the meta-analysis. ResultsTwenty RCTs involving 1831 patients were analyzed. The results revealed that PNS preparations considerably increased the total clinical efficiency, improved forced expiratory volume in one second percent of predicted, and forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity ratio. Further, PNS preparations improved fibrinogen, plasma d-dimer, whole blood viscosity at high cut, whole blood viscosity at low cut, and plasma viscosity levels. The results obtained for activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times were not statistically significant. Finally, PNS preparations increased partial pressure of oxygen and decreased carbon dioxide pressure. ConclusionThis is the first relatively comprehensive systematic review of the clinical efficacy and safety of PNS preparations for treating COPD with HCS. The study revealed that PNS preparations considerably improve lung function, hypoxia, and blood hypercoagulability in patients with COPD and HCS without increasing the risk of hemorrhage and has a good safety profile; therefore, it can be used as a new modulating agent and anticoagulant.

Fourteen-day E-Cigarette Exposure Disrupts Ventilation Patterns and Serum IL-1B Levels in Adolescent Rats

E-cigarettes are devices used to deliver vaporized liquids often containing nicotine and other chemicals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 14 days of e-cigarette vapor exposure in adolescent rats on lung function and inflammatory cytokine expression. Seventeen male long-evans rats were assigned to vape or air groups. The animals were exposed to either air or 5% nicotine vapor using a whole-body exposure chamber, once a day for ten minutes for fourteen consecutive days. Ventilation recordings were completed on day 0 (before exposure) and day 15 (after exposure) using unrestrained whole-body plethysmography. Both lung tissue and blood was collected for molecular assays. Baseline and post-exposure ventilation data were compared between air and vape groups across three different parameters: frequency, tidal volume, and minute ventilation. These parameters were compared resulting in three distinct 2x2 (time x treatment) Mixed Model ANOVAs. Between baseline and post-treatment measurements there was a significant decrease in values in minute ventilation (p=0.0312) and tidal volume (p=0.0031). Between treatment groups there was a significant difference in minute ventilation (p=0.0128) and frequency (p=0042). There were also significant alterations to the presence of IL-1B in the serum (p=0.0003), but not lung tissue (p=0.6525). In conclusion, following two weeks of e-cigarette vapor exposure, ventilation patterns were altered in the vapor exposed animals which decreased in tidal volume and minute ventilation suggesting possible impairment of lung function and e-cigarette exposure modified the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-1B.

Short-term administration of Qipian®, a mixed bacterial lysate, inhibits airway inflammation in ovalbumin-induced mouse asthma by modulating cellular, humoral and neurogenic immune responses

AimsQipian® is a commercialized agent composed of extracts of three genera of commensal bacteria, and its mechanism of action on asthma is unclear. This study aimed to examine the impact of Qipian® on airway inflammation and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Materials and methodsQipian® or dexamethasone (DEX) was administered before OVA challenge in an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model, and then asthmatic symptoms were observed and scored. Samples of lung tissues, blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected, and eosinophils (Eos), immunoglobins (Igs), and type 1 T helper (Th1)/Th2 cell cytokines were measured. Mucus production in the lung was assessed by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. The effects of Qipian® on dendritic and T regulatory (Treg) cells were investigated using flow cytometry. Key findingsThe short-term administration of Qipian® significantly inhibited the cardinal features of allergic asthma, including an elevated asthmatic behaviour score, airway inflammation and immune response. Histological analysis of the lungs showed that Qipian® attenuated airway inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hyperproduction. Qipian® restored Th1/Th2 imbalance by decreasing interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 while increasing interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-10. Further investigation revealed that Qipian® treatment induced the upregulation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells and CD103+ DCs and downregulation of tachykinins neurokinin A (NKA) and NKB in the lung. SignificanceOur findings suggested that short-term treatment with Qipian® could alleviate inflammation in allergic asthma through restoring the Th1/Th2 balance by recruiting Treg cells to airways and inducing the proliferation of CD103+ DCs, which actually provides a new treatment option for asthma.

Hydrogen Inhalation Reduces Lung Inflammation and Blood Pressure in the Experimental Model of Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats.

Hydrogen has been shown to exhibit selective antioxidant properties against hydroxyl radicals, and exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The monocrotaline-induced model of pulmonary hypertension is suitable for studying substances with antioxidant activity because oxidative stress is induced by monocrotaline. On day 1, male Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with a water-alcohol solution of monocrotaline or a control with an only water-alcohol solution. One group of monocrotaline-injected animals was placed in a plastic box that was constantly ventilated with atmospheric air containing 4% of molecular hydrogen, and the two groups of rats, injected with monocrotaline or vehicle, were placed in boxes ventilated with atmospheric air. After 21 days, hemodynamic parameters were measured under urethane narcosis. The results showed that, although hydrogen inhalation had no effect on the main markers of pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline injection, there was a reduction in systemic blood pressure due to its systolic component, and a decrease in TGF-β expression, as well as a reduction in tryptase-containing mast cells.

Population-level integration of single-cell datasets enables multi-scale analysis across samples

The increasing generation of population-level single-cell atlases has the potential to link sample metadata with cellular data. Constructing such references requires integration of heterogeneous cohorts with varying metadata. Here we present single-cell population level integration (scPoli), an open-world learner that incorporates generative models to learn sample and cell representations for data integration, label transfer and reference mapping. We applied scPoli on population-level atlases of lung and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, the latter consisting of 7.8 million cells across 2,375 samples. We demonstrate that scPoli can explain sample-level biological and technical variations using sample embeddings revealing genes associated with batch effects and biological effects. scPoli is further applicable to single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin and cross-species datasets, offering insights into chromatin accessibility and comparative genomics. We envision scPoli becoming an important tool for population-level single-cell data integration facilitating atlas use but also interpretation by means of multi-scale analyses.

A technique for assessing pulmonary perfusion in patients with previously treated COVID-19 pneumonia: clinical controlled non-randomized study

INTRODUCTION: Evaluating pulmonary lung perfusion in patients with previously treated COVID-19 infection may lead to a better understanding of long-term consequences of the disease, as well as may identify the changes determined by their symptoms. Further research is required for optimization of lung perfusion’s design parameters’ methods in order to implement those in clinical practice.OBJECTIVE: To determine the possibilities of an alternative method for evaluation of relative lung perfusion using three-dimensional ultrafast contrast-enhanced MRI on patients with previously treated COVID-19 pneumonia.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined 100 patients (28 male and 72 female, aged 22 to 70) who had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection. The research was conducted using the three-dimensional ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI based on 3D T1-weighted images. During the postprocessing, we received the values of rPBF (relative pulmonary blood flow), rPBV (relative pulmonary blood volume), and rMTT (relative mean transit time).Statistics. For non-linear dependence modelling we used natural spline transformation for time and interaction effect with a group. Intergroup comparison on integral measures was based on Kruskall-Wallis test (χ2), pair comparisons were based on Conover’s test (Δ). For multiple hypothesis testing correction, we used the false discovery rate (FDR). Comparisons were determined as statistically significant when p&lt;0.05.RESULTS: The differences in obtained values of lung perfusion among patient groups were confirmed both quantitatively (by rMTT, rPBV, rPBF) and qualitatively (by building the curves of contrast agent accumulation). Patients with previously treated COVID-19 demonstrate slower contrast agent transit and increased relative lung blood volume. Their accumulation curves have qualitative differences as well.DISCUSSION: We suggest a new method of evaluation of lung perfusion indicators in patients with previously treated COVID-19. We conducted an intergroup analysis based on the degree of lung damage during the acute phase of COVID-19 (with no infiltrativechanges, with minor lung damage, and major lung damage). The intergroup differences found are more significant for patients with lung damage (both minor and major) than for patients with no infiltrative lung changes during the acute phase of COVID-19.CONCLUSION: This method of evaluation of pulmonary perfusion is able to adequately characterize the functional lung conditions in patients with previously treated COVID-19 pneumonia. The chosen model is the most optimal.

Efficacy of catgut embedding in Baihui (GV20) and Feishu (BL13) and Pishu (BL20) on lung tissue, brain tissue and blood related indexes in rats with allergic rhinitis of lung deficiency type.

To investigate the effects of acupoint catgut embedding for 3 weeks on lung tissue, blood immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleutin-4 (IL-4), brain tissue microglia x-42 (OX-42) and toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) in rats with allergic rhinitis of lung deficiency type. Forty-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided for two times. The first time, they were randomly divided into model group and blank group (Group C) according to 2:1, and the second time, the model group were randomly divided into model control group (Group B) and intervention treatment group (Group A) according to 1:1. 15 in each group. For Group A and Group B, the lung deficiency model was made by "sulfur-moxa fumigation", and then the allergic rhinitis model was established by "ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization". Then catgut embedding was performed at acupoints in Group A and not in Group B. After 3 weeks, collect lung tissue samples for hematoxylin-eosin staining, then take blood to observe the concentration of IgE and IL-4, and finally take brain tissue to observe the results of OX-42 and TLR-2. IgE level (μg/mL) was (3.11 ± 0.20) in the Group A, (4.19 ± 0.44) in the Group B, and (2.29 ± 0.30) in the Group C (all < 0.001). IL-4 level (pg/mL) was (14.2 ± 0.7) in the Group A, (18.6 ± 2.4) in the Group B, and (11.4 ± 1.2) for the Group C (all < 0.001). The mean OD for OX-42 is (0.1728 ± 0.0016) in the Group A, (0.1810 ± 0.0046) in the Group B and (0.1674 ± 0.0025) in the Group C (all < 0.001). Although 3 weeks of acupoint catgut embedding already showed obvious efficacy on rats with allergic rhinitis, the allergic reaction in the body still continued. To achieve further treatment, prolonging the catgut embedding time is necessary.

Aplastic anemia from past to the present: A bibliometric analysis with research trends and global productivity during 1980 to 2022.

There is no bibliometric study in the literature on Aplastic Anemia (AA). In the present study, the purpose was to summarize the intellectual structure of the subject, uncover the global productivity in this respect, and identify the latest research trends by performing a bibliometric analysis of the articles published on AA. For this purpose, outputs for different research components of scientific outputs (i.e., countries, institutions, journals, and authors) were analyzed. A total of 3221 articles on Aplastic Anemia published between 1980 and 2022 were analyzed by using various statistical methods and bibliometric approaches. The Spearman Correlation Coefficient was used for correlation analysis and bibliometric network visualization maps were used to identify trending topics, citation analysis, and international collaborations. The top 3 contributing countries to the literature were the USA in this respect (800, 24.8%), China (514, 15.9%), and Japan (442, 13.7%). The top 3 most active institutions were the National Institutes of Health USA (n = 177), National Heart Lung Blood Institute (n = 153), and Udice French Research Universities (n = 136). The top 3 most productive journals were the British Journal of Haematology (n = 239), Blood (n = 181), and Bone Marrow Transplantation (n = 137). The most prolific author was Neal Stuart Young (n = 130). Specific keywords that were most frequently used in articles were severe aplastic anemia, immunosuppressive therapy, pediatrics/children, anti-thymocyte globulin, cyclosporine, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, myelodysplastic syndromes, Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia, allogeneic stem cell transplantation, haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, pancytopenia, eltrombopag, fludarabine, Graft-Versus-Host Disease, survival, apoptosis, cytokines, and cyclophosphamide. It was determined that the trend topics in recent years were eltrombopag, COVID-19, Treg, Th17, thrombopoietin receptor agonists, haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, haploidentical donor/transplantation, and posttransplantation cyclophosphamide. In the formation of the AA literature, it was determined that the research leadership belonged to the USA, China, Japan, European countries (United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland), India, and South Korea, which have large economies.

Chronic heat stress induces lung injury in broiler chickens by disrupting the pulmonary blood-air barrier and activating TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway

As an important respiratory organ, the lung is susceptible to damage during heat stress due to the accelerated breathing frequency caused by an increase in environmental temperature. This can affect the growth performance of animals and endanger their health. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of lung tissue damage caused by heat stress. Broilers were randomly divided into a control group (Control) and a heat stress group (HS). The HS group was exposed to 35°C heat stress for 12 h per d from 21-days old, and samples were taken from selected broilers at 28, 35, and 42-days old. The results showed a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the serum and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the lungs of broiler chickens across all 3 age groups after heat stress (P < 0.01), while the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significantly enhanced at 35-days old (P < 0.01). Heat stress also led to significant increases in various proinflammatory factors in serum and expression levels of HSP60 and HSP70 in lung tissue. Histopathological results showed congestion and bleeding in lung blood vessels, shedding of pulmonary epithelial cells, and a large amount of inflammatory infiltration in the lungs after heat stress. The mRNA expression of TLRs/NF-κB-related genes showed an upward trend (P < 0.05) after heat stress, while the mRNA expression of MLCK, a gene related to pulmonary blood-air barrier, significantly increased after heat stress, and the expression levels of MLC, ZO-1, and occludin decreased in contrast. This change was also confirmed by Western blotting, indicating that the pulmonary blood-air barrier is damaged after heat stress. Heat stress can cause damage to the lung tissue of broiler chickens by disrupting the integrity of the blood-air barrier and increasing permeability. This effect is further augmented by the activation of TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathways leading to an intensified inflammatory response. As heat stress duration progresses, broiler chickens develop thermotolerance, which gradually mitigates the damaging effects induced by heat stress.

Inhalation of electronic cigarettes slightly affects lung function and inflammation in mice.

Electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular, but the results of previous studies on electronic cigarette exposure in animals have been equivocal. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of electronic cigarette smoke (ECS) and cigarette smoke (CS) on lung function and pulmonary inflammation in mice to investigate whether electronic cigarettes are safer when compared to cigarettes. 32 specific pathogen-free BALB/c male mice were randomly grouped and exposed to fresh air (control), mint-flavored ECS (ECS1, 6mg/kg), cheese-flavored ECS (ECS2, 6mg/kg), and CS (6mg/kg). After 3weeks exposure to ECS or CS, we measured lung function (PIF and Penh) and blood oxygen saturation. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum were measured using ELISA. HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the lung tissues. The levels of IL-6 in BALF and serum, and TNF-α in BALF, were elevated similarly in the ECS and CS groups compared to the control group. Significant elevation was observed in serum TNF-α levels in the CS group. The total count of cells in BALF were increased after ECS1 exposure and CS exposure. PIF and oxygen saturation decreased, and Penh increased markedly in the CS group but not in the ECS groups. Compared with the ECS groups, mice in the CS group had widened lung tissue septa and increased inflammatory cell infiltration. However, we did not detect significant differences between mint-flavored and cheese-flavored e-cigarettes in our study. Overall, our findings suggested that both ECS and CS impair lung function and histopathology while promoting inflammation. In contrast, ECS has a less negative impact than CS.

Utility of the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis score as a blood biomarker of pulmonary fibrosis secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia

IntroductionSARS-CoV-2 pneumonia can lead to several sequelae, among them, pulmonary fibrosis. The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score is a panel of serum markers of liver fibrosis. We aimed to describe the utility of the ELF score as a biomarker of pulmonary fibrosis secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia. MethodsChest computed tomography (CT) scan, lung function tests (LFT) and blood analysis were obtained at three months after discharge. Data were analysed according to ELF scores and posteriorly divided into ELF tertiles. ResultsOne hundred twenty-nine patients were recruited; of these, 85.7% presented bilateral pneumonia at diagnosis of SARS-CoV2 infection. At 3 months after discharge, CT scan was available in 123 patients, 73 (59.3%) of whom presented parenchymal lung abnormalities (PLA) and LFT showed impairment in 28 (22.7%) patients. Globally, the most frequent PLA was ground glass opacities (50%), followed by bronchial thickening (26.8%), reticular pattern (19.5%), consolidation (10.5%) and air bronchogram sign (7.3%). Radiological findings were only significant in the higher tertile of ELF, with a reticular pattern as the predominant PLA (p = 0.002). Moreover, patients with both PLA and LFT impairment, presented a trend towards higher levels of ELF compared with patients with only PLA or LFT impairment, or no impairment (9.9 (0.7) vs 9.6 (0.8), 9.1 (1.1) and 9.3 (0.7); p = 0.054). ConclusionPatients with both PLA and LFT alteration at 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia had higher ELF scores. The ELF score may be useful to identify patients with risk of fibrotic changes after SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.