Respiratory Tract Inflammation Research Articles

Could Mouth Breathing Lead to Adenoid Hypertrophy?

Introduction: Adenoid hypertrophy (AH), an immune response of the body against infections, is common in children and has adverse effects on their physical and mental health. The hypothesis: We hypothesized that mouth breathing (MB) may induce AH, and that they interact with each other. Evaluation of The Hypothesis: AH may cause upper airway obstruction, which can induce the patient to switch from nasal breathing to mouth breathing (MB). However, MB does not involve the processes of warming, humidifying, and cleaning the inhaled air, which leads to changes in the oral environment and increases the risk of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. This study discussed the relationship between MB and AH. The importance of this hypothesis is that attention should be paid to the status of MB or AH while treating them in order to block the interaction and thus improve the efficiency of treatment.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents regarding antibiotic use among children: Differences between urban and rural areas in the Republic of Srpska

Background/Aim: Antibiotic use and resistance represent a growing public health issue, with a specific risk of uncontrolled use of antibiotics in children. The aim of the study was to examine differences in parental knowledge, attitudes and practices about antibiotic use in children between urban and rural areas of the Republic of Srpska. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1459 parents of children under 6 years of age, out of which 1201 (82.3 %) lived in urban areas while 258 (17.7 %) lived in rural areas. The research is conducted among parents who brought their children to the selected primary healthcare centres and among parents of children in preschool institutions. Results: The majority of respondents (98.4 %) state that doctors are their main source of information. Only 61.2 % of respondents precisely know which drug is an antibiotic when offered different drugs and respondents from rural areas (54.3 %) more often (p = 0.012) gave more accurate answers when compared to respondents from urban areas (37.3 %). Among parents, 86 % agree with the statement that improper use of antibiotics reduces their effectiveness and leads to bacterial resistance, regardless of groups. More than a half of respondents (52.4 %) do not think that children with flu or common cold symptoms recover faster when they receive antibiotics, significantly more respondents from urban areas (p = 0.001). Respondents from rural areas significantly more often believe that antibiotics can produce harmful effects compared to respondents from urban areas (p = 0.049). Respondents from rural areas significantly more often think that antibiotic use can prevent complications caused by inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (p = 0.006). Parents from rural areas give their children antibiotics without a paediatrician's recommendation significantly more often (4.3 %) compared to respondents from urban areas (0.6 %) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There are differences in parental knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance among parents in rural and urban areas. There is need for additional education of parents and for greater engagement of paediatricians in providing guidance and explanations regarding the use of antibiotics.

Management of Acute Bronchitis in Adults: Recent Trends and Practices

Acute bronchitis is a transient upper respiratory tract inflammation. It is one of the most commonly occurring illnesses in ambulatory care and the most frequently encountered diagnosis by primary care physicians. It is a self-limiting disease however it encompasses a wide range of symptoms pertaining to upper respiratory tract that last for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Acute bronchitis does not have a treatment regime and the symptoms are managed conservatively. The purpose of this review is to discuss the management of acute bronchitis, current trends and practices in daily practice. A robust literature search was done on various electronic databases and a wide variety of studies were retrieved which included a multitude of small and large scale randomized clinical, placebo-controlled trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines were retrieved. Some of the commonly used medicines for symptomatic management of acute bronchitis are antitussive agents, protussive agents, bronchodilator therapy and alternative therapy. Clinical practice guidelines state there is no significant role of antibiotics in acute bronchitis as it does not improve or reduce the duration of symptoms in patients. Furthermore, it is associated with a wide array of adverse effects, antibiotic resistance and leads to inflated health care costs. Despite strict recommendations, antibiotics are highly prescribed by physicians for acute bronchitis based on patient factors such as protracted symptoms, diagnostic uncertainty, possibility of ensuing pneumonia and to meet patient expectations. Physicians should play a key role in educating patients about the course of the disease, raising their awareness on the timeline of symptoms, offer reassurance, informing them on the lack of added benefits of antibiotics and suggesting alternative therapies thereby reducing unwarranted prescriptions in the best interests of the patient

Is secondary tracheomalacia associated with airway inflammation and infection?

Recurrent lower respiratory tract infections are among the most prevalent symptoms in secondary tracheomalacia due to mediastinal vascular anomalies (MVAs). It is not known whether this condition could result in persistent lower respiratory tract inflammation and subclinical infection. A retrospective study was performed on records of children with tracheomalacia due to MVAs and recurrent respiratory infections who underwent computed tomography scan, bronchoscopy, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) as part of their clinical evaluation. Thirty-one children were included in the study: 21 with aberrant innominate artery, four with right aortic arch, one with double aortic arch, and five with aberrant innominate artery associated with right aortic arch. Cytological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid showed increased neutrophil percentages and normal lymphocyte and eosinophil proportions. Microorganism growth was detected in 13 BAL samples, with a bacterial load ≥104 colony-forming units/mL in eight (25.8%) of them. Most isolates were positive for Haemophilus influenzae. Bronchiectasis was detected in four children, all with BAL culture positive for H. influenzae. Four patients underwent MVA surgical correction and 27 conservative management, i.e., respiratory physiotherapy in all and high-dose amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (40 mg/kg/day) for 2-4 weeks in those with significant bacterial growth. There was an excellent outcome in most of them. Neutrophilic alveolitis is detectable in secondary tracheomalacia but is associated with a clinically significant bacterial load only in a quarter of the patients. Caution should be used regarding inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions to avoid the emergence of resistance, whilst airway clearance maneuvers and infection preventive measures should be promoted.

Effect of Vitamin-D on COVID-19: A Review

Vitamin-D deficiency is a common yet understated problem. A number of people are at a risk of its deficiency while many others go undetected with the deficiency. The novel corona virus, an RNA virus, has run its rampant course across the globe affecting millions for the worse. COVID-19, a disease caused as a result of the infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has shown to produce severe lower respiratory symptoms. This has so far resulted into a reported death count of more than 4.9 million worldwide. More than 4.5 lacs were affected in India. COVID-19 affects numerous other organs such as the liver, brain, kidney and heart. Dosage of Vitamin-D regularly, during the treatment and as a pre-emptive measure have all shown to reduce respiratory tract inflammation. Low plasma 25(OH)D levels appear to be an independent risk factor for COVID‐19 infection and hospitalization. Administration of a large dose of Calcifediol or what is also known as 25-hydroxyVitamin-D , a main metabolite of the Vitamin-D endocrine system, noticeably lessened the need for ICU treatment of patients requiring hospitalization after being tested positive for COVID-19. Elevated levels of Vitamin-D in body could decrease the length of hospital stays and reduce the intensity of the COVID 19 infection. In many COVID-19 patients the T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) levels are found to be low. These low levels can be elevated by Vitamin-D supplementation. Low levels of Vitamin-D have also been associated with increased inflammatory cytokines and a noticeably increased risk of pneumonia and viral upper respiratory tract infections. While further large-scale studies are required to provide concrete answers, the severity of the disease has been shown to be reduced and Vitamin-D can potentially be used as a supplementary treatment against Covid-19 and also as a precaution against the same. These results are significant and should not be ignored.

Mucormycosis in Post COVID-19 Patients: A Case Study

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common complication of severe pneumonia virus, such as the flu and COVID-19, which requires critical treatment, including asthma support, corticosteroids, and other treatments to prevent acute respiratory tract inflammation. Although steroid treatment is limited to the treatment of viral pneumonia, it is usually a double-edged sword, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Mucormycosis is a fungal emergency with a high tendency for contaguous spread and a poor prognosis if not detected and treated promptly. Mucormycosis is believed to be caused by uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) and other immunosuppressive disorders, such as corticosteroid therapy.
 Aim: To discuss causality factor of mucormycosis in COVID-19 infection.
 Conclusion: COVID-19 is correlated with a high rate of secondary infections, both bacterial and fungal, most likely as a result of immune dysregulation. Furthermore, the widespread use of steroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics as part of the COVID-19 remedy can result in the production or exacerbation of pre-existing fungal diseases. Physicians should be mindful of the likelihood of invasive secondary fungal infections in patients with COVID-19 infection, especially in those that have pre-existing risk factors, and should be able to detect and treat these infections early in order to reducing mortality and morbidity.

Hamster models of COVID-19 pneumonia reviewed: How human can they be?

The dramatic global consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic soon fueled quests for a suitable model that would facilitate the development and testing of therapies and vaccines. In contrast to other rodents, hamsters are naturally susceptible to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) rapidly developed into a popular model. It recapitulates many characteristic features as seen in patients with a moderate, self-limiting course of the disease such as specific patterns of respiratory tract inflammation, vascular endothelialitis, and age dependence. Among 4 other hamster species examined, the Roborovski dwarf hamster (Phodopus roborovskii) more closely mimics the disease in highly susceptible patients with frequent lethal outcome, including devastating diffuse alveolar damage and coagulopathy. Thus, different hamster species are available to mimic different courses of the wide spectrum of COVID-19 manifestations in humans. On the other hand, fewer diagnostic tools and information on immune functions and molecular pathways are available than in mice, which limits mechanistic studies and inference to humans in several aspects. Still, under pandemic conditions with high pressure on progress in both basic and clinically oriented research, the Syrian hamster has turned into the leading non-transgenic model at an unprecedented pace, currently used in innumerable studies that all aim to combat the impact of the virus with its new variants of concern. As in other models, its strength rests upon a solid understanding of its similarities to and differences from the human disease, which we review here.

Major Ambient Air Pollutants and Toxicity Exposure on Human Health and Their Respiratory System: A Review

Indoor and outdoor air pollution is causing environmental and health issues globally. It is more challenging mainly in developing countries like India, china, and others.According to recent World Health Organization (WHO) reports, nearly 4.2 million people die prematurely because of AAP (Ambient Air Pollution). Air pollution is made up of a variety of contaminants, including gases, liquids, heavy metals in the air, and particulate matter. Suspended particulate matter (SPM), surface ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO2), and other contaminants have become major environmental threats to plant health. These pollutants also have an effect on human health because they affect the consistency of the air we breathe. They usually cause inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, resulting in cough and shortness of breath. These are also significant contributors to the exacerbation of current respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Epidemiological, toxicological, and clinical research all support the connection between air pollution and increased incidence and severity of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. This pollution is a major public health problem in the locations where maximum pollution sources exist. To improve air quality and reduce the adverse effects of airborne toxicity due to AAP on human health, significant approaches are needed. The main objective of this review article is to provide evidence on the adverse effects of AAP on human health, as well as to make recommendations to policymakers on how to minimize exposure to this risk factor. Only public awareness combined with a multidisciplinary approach by scientific specialists will be able to handle this problem; national and international organizations must address the rise of this threat and suggest long-term remedies.

Low Molecular Weight Heparin Improves the Inflammatory State of Acute Sinusitis Rats Through Inhibiting the TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Introduction: Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), a natural sulfated glycosaminoglycan with an affinity for proangiogenic factors, is produced by chemical or enzymatic depolymerization of unfractionated heparin (UFH). Known for its anticoagulant effects, LMWH has recently been reported to have a strong anti-inflammatory effect on colitis, myocarditis, and airway inflammation. However, as a newly-developed drug, its anti-inflammatory mechanism in upper respiratory tract inflammation has not been well-studied. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was established by building an acute nasal sinusitis model with expansion sponges mixed with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Then the experimental group rats were subcutaneously injected with different concentrations of LMWH. After seven consecutive days of injection, some rats were sacrificed, and blood and nasal mucosa samples were taken to determine their inflammation status. The remaining acute sinusitis rats were randomly selected for a week of nasal irrigation with normal saline or saline mixed with different concentrations of LMWH. One week later, rats were sacrificed, and samples of blood and nasal mucosa were taken to determine the inflammation status. Results: Rat nasal mucosa in the model group had obvious inflammation. The degree of nasal mucosa inflammation damage in the experimental group was lower than in the experimental control group, proving that LMWH has a protective effect on the nasal mucosa and that the effect correlates with dosage. Irrigation of the nose with saline mixed with LMWH can improve the anti-inflammatory effect. Protein related to the TLR4-MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway was activated in the acute sinusitis rat model, and LMWH can significantly inhibit its expression. Conclusion: This is the first report of the anti-inflammatory effect of LMWH in acute upper respiratory tract inflammation, together with an explanation of its anti-inflammatory mechanism. The findings contribute a theoretical basis for its potential anti-tumor effect.

Selection of therapy in smoking patients with bronchial asthma

Despite the evidence and logical fact that smoking and asthma are incompatible, many patients are smoke. The proportion of smokers among asthmatics is comparable to the proportion of smokers in the population. The proportion of smokers among asthmatics is comparable to the proportion of smokers in the population. Currently, the prevalence of tobacco use in the Russian Federation remains high at over 20%. In addition to active smoking, patients may be exposed to the negative effects of tobacco smoke through secondhand smoke. Smokers with asthma are more likely to have signs of poor disease control, and are more likely to seek exacerbation. However, a therapy strategy for them has not been worked out. For many randomized trials, patient smoking is the exclusion criterion, and therefore the effectiveness of a particular anti-asthma therapy in smokers is poorly understood. In addition, it is a known fact that smoking develops resistance to the main anti-asthma therapy, inhalation glucocorticosteroids. The article discusses the mechanism of exposure to tobacco smoke on lung tissue, the development of pathological processes under the influence of components of tobacco smoke and possible solutions to the problem. The mechanism of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects of various components of tobacco smoke. Particular attention is paid to the role of cysteinyl leukotrienes in the formation of inflammation in the lower respiratory tract in smoking patients with asthma and the possibility of treating these patients with leukotriene receptor antagonists. A review of studies conducted in patients with bronchial asthma and exposure to tobacco smoke in whom montelukast was used as therapy is presented. Provides information on the safety and side effects of the drug.

Fractional exhaled NO in a metalworking occupational cohort.

Secondary metalworking carries exposure to relatively heavy levels of respirable particulate. We investigated the extent to which metalworking is associated with increased exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), an established inflammatory biomarker. We studied 80 metalworking factory employees in Kazakhstan. Informed by industrial hygiene data, we categorized them into three groups: (1) machine operators (41%); (2) welders or assemblers (33%); and (3) all others, including administrative and ancillary staff (26%). Participants completed questionnaires covering occupational history, smoking, home particulate sources, respiratory symptoms, and comorbidities. We measured exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), exhaled fractional nitric oxide (FeNO), and spirometric function. We used mixed-effects modeling to test the associations of occupational group with FeNO, adjusted for covariates. The median age was 51.5 (interquartile range 20.5) years; 7% were women. Occupational group (p < 0.01), daily current cigarette smoking intensity (p < 0.05), and age (p < 0.05), each was statistically associated with FeNO. Welders, or assemblers (Group 2), who had intermediate particulate exposure, manifested significantly higher exhaled FeNO compared to machinists (Group 1, with the highest particulate exposure) and all others (Groups 3, the lowest particulate): adjusted Group 2 mean 44.8ppb (95% confidence interval (CI) 33.8-55.9) vs. Group 1 24.6ppb (95% 20.5-28.7) and Group 3, 24.3ppb (95% CI 17.7-30.9). Secondhand smoking and height were not associated with FeNO. In a metalworking industrial cohort, welders/assemblers manifested significantly higher levels of FeNO. This may reflect respiratory tract inflammation associated with airborne exposures specific to this group.

198 Effect of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Fermentate on Immune Cell Function Following Prolonged Head Elevation in 2-year-old Horses in Training

Abstract Horses are often restricted from lowering their heads while being transported, which prevents nasal drainage and triggers upper respiratory tract inflammation. Based on positive outcomes in other species, we hypothesized Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate (SCF) would modify this immune response in horses. Two-year-old Quarter Horses (mean ± SEM; initial age 22 ± 0.3 mo and BW 439 ± 3 kg) were randomly assigned to receive SCF (Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA; 21 g/d; n = 10) or no supplement (CON; n = 10) added to their diet (60% hay, 40% concentrate) for 60 d. Horses were exercised 4 d/wk for 30–45 min/d at light to moderate intensity. On d 57 horses were tethered with their heads elevated 35 cm above wither height for 12 h to mimic long-distance transport. Whole blood samples were obtained before and up to 72 h after stress induction to evaluate immune cell function. Data were compared using mixed model ANOVA with repeated measures. Serum cortisol (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and blood leukocytes (P &amp;lt; 0.05) were greater after head elevation. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to lipopolysaccharide was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.01) following head elevation but did not differ by treatment. Lymphocyte proliferation in response to concanavalin A exhibited a time × treatment effect (P = 0.05) where it decreased in CON horses after head elevation (P &amp;lt; 0.05) but was unchanged in SCF horses. Neutrophil phagocytosis of Streptococcus equi (a respiratory pathogen) was temporarily reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.05) after head elevation in both treatments. A time × treatment effect (P = 0.05) was observed for phagocytosis-induced oxidative burst, where it increased in SCF (P &amp;lt; 0.01) but did not change in CON horses. These data indicate SCF modified peripheral immune cell activity following a localized mucosal stressor. Whether these responses improve resistance to opportunistic pathogens following transport needs to be determined.

Use of Nanocomposite Resin Materials for Dental Restoration in Elderly Patients

Tooth defects can affect not only periodontal tissue but also the whole body if not restored in good time. Composite resin materials are commonly used filling materials in dental restorations, but they have low material strength and are likely to cause insufficient secondary caries. Improving the ability of composite resin materials to restore defective teeth has thus become the focus of research interest. Nanocomposite materials are widely used in dentistry because of their good design characteristics, wide indications, strong restorative power, and high economic efficiency. However, whether they cause respiratory tract inflammation or tissue damage due to their large specific surface area still needs further investigation. This study compared the effects of nanocomposite resin materials with those of traditional light-curable composite resin materials on the restoration of dental defects in elderly patients and found that nanomaterials could not only reduce the incidence of tooth sensitivity and tooth pain after restoration but also improve the aesthetic outcomes of the tooth. In addition to the restoration effect, the occurrence of adverse reactions in patients who underwent dental restoration using nanomaterials within 2 years after the procedure was significantly lower than that in patients who underwent dental restoration using traditional materials. These results indicate that the nanocomposite resin material improved the restoration effect in elderly patients without increasing their risk for adverse reactions. Therefore, nanocomposite resin materials should be used as the preferred filling material for dental restoration in elderly patients with dental defects.

Surgical treatment of cervical oesophageal diverticula.

The aim of our study is to present the results of surgical treatment of patients with cervical diverticula of the oesophagus in a period of 20 years. A retrospective analysis of 65 patients treated between 2000 and 2020. Patients with symptoms such as dysphagia, vomiting, chocking, recurrent respiratory tract inflammation, as well as patients with diverticular recurrence or poor outcome of primary surgery, were qualified for surgical resection of the oesophageal diverticulum with myotomy using an open technique. Patients were evaluated for the degree of dysphagia before and after surgery, associated perioperative complications, and overall comfort after surgical treatment. Sixty-five patients underwent surgical treatment, 7(10.7%) of whom were treated for diverticular recurrence or poor outcome of primary treatment. The predominant symptom was dysphagia, which was found in 55(84.6%) patients, increasing over 6 to 48 months with a mean of 17.6 months. The size of the diverticulum ranged from 2 to 6 cm with a mean of 4.8 cm. One patient (1.5%) who experienced the suture line leak was treated conservatively and the fistula healed. Another patient had permanent vocal cord damage, and 1(1.5%) patient had transient damage. The surgical outcome was very good in 48 patients, good in 15 patients, and poor in 2 patients. No postoperative death occurred. The technique of open resection with myotomy continues to be an effective method of treating cervical diverticula. It has a zero-mortality rate, low perioperative complication rate, good functional outcome, and low recurrence rate.

Xylometazoline and oxymetazoline - unusual effects of everyday drugs (literature review)

The aim of the study is to systematize the knowledge about xylometazoline and oxymetazoline - commonly used nasal sprays with sympathicomimetic effect, mainly directly on α-adrenergic receptors [1]. A review of recent reports on possible side effects and new therapeutic options will be presented.&#x0D; Results: Over several years, reports have been published regarding descriptions of unusual cases of side effects, such as angina attack [4], a case of respiratory failure in a newborn [5], ischemic stroke [6], or anaphylactic reaction during routine surgery.&#x0D; In experiments using rats, on the other hand, it has been shown that these substances can also cause increased inflammation of the lower respiratory tract [7], as well as numerous ophthalmic problems [8].&#x0D; Recent reports also suggest new uses for xylometazoline and oxymetazoline. In combination with lidocaine, an intranasal solution of xylometazoline has shown efficacy in the anesthesia of maxillary teeth in patients with minor carious lesions [9], and a beneficial therapeutic combination of oxymetazoline and dye laser (PDL) has also been reported for the treatment of rosacea, among others [10].&#x0D; Conclusions: Although imidazoline derivatives were admitted to the drug list decades ago, still their pharmacological potential has not been fully exploited. Finding applications of these drugs in dermatology and dentistry may not only improve the efficacy and comfort of treatment, but also significantly reduce the costs of the whole therapy. The aforementioned reports on the side effects of xylometazoline and oxymetazoline should not be forgotten. It is possible that the presented examples will increase awareness to use these drugs with more respect, according to the recommendations on the leaflet.

Role of the microbiology laboratory tests in diagnosis inflammation of the upper respiratory tract

Infections of the upper respiratory tract are one of the main reasons why patients visit their primary care physician. Most of these are viral infections, requiring only symptomatic treatment. In the case of infections of bacterial etiology, apart from thorough medical history and physical examination, microbiological tests play an important role. They allow for the precise identification of the microorganism and determine sensitivity to antibiotics. Avoiding unjustified or wrong antibiotic therapy supports the fight against multi-drug resistant organisms, which are an increasing challenge for modern medicine. One of the most common causes of pharyngitis is Streptococcus pyogenes infection. Despite the possibility of performing rapid antigen detection test, pharyngeal culture remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of bacterial infections in this area. Otitis media is considered by the authors as well as sinusitis. The primary ethiology of the otitis media are viruses following the dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, which causes secondary bacterial infection. The anatomical structure of the middle ear prevents direct collection of material for microbiological examination, except in the case of spontaneous perforation of the tympanic membrane or paracentesis. Sinusitis is mostly viral infection and is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. In the routine diagnosis of rhinosinusitis, microbiological testing is not recommended, however the authors discuss the principles and indications for extending the diagnostics. The following article argues the most common pathogens responsible for infections in the mouth, throat, middle ear, and paranasal sinuses. The authors pay special attention to the quality of the collected material, protection of the sample and the method of transport to the laboratory. Compliance with the following standards in everyday clinical practice may reduce the percentage of non-diagnostic results and will help in making an accurate diagnosis.

Synergistic effects of silver nanoparticles and cisplatin in combating inflammation and hyperplasia of airway stents

Anti-inflammatory and antihyperplasia activities are essential requirements for the successful use of airway stents. In this work, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and cisplatin (DDP) were combined in a synergistic modification strategy to improve the surface function of airway stents. Using polycaprolactone (PCL) as a drug carrier, a dual-functional PCL-AgNPs-DDP fiber film-coated airway stent was fabricated by electrospinning. The physicochemical and biological properties of the obtained fiber films were examined. The ATR-FTIR, XPS, SEM-EDS and TEM results suggested that AgNPs and DDP could be successfully immobilized onto the airway stent surface. The drug release and surface degradation results revealed that AgNPs and DDP can undergo sustained release from films for 30 d, and the weight loss was approximately 50% after 35 d. In addition, the dual-functional fiber film suppressed human embryonic lung fibroblast growth and exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the dual-functional fiber film-coated airway stent was evaluated by application to the trachea of New Zealand rabbits. The in vivo results indicated that PCL-AgNPs-DDP fiber film-coated airway stent can significantly inhibit granulation tissue formation and collagen deposition, reduced the expression of IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1α, PCNA, α-SMA and CD68, and ultimately achieved anti-inflammatory and antihyperplasia effects. Hence, this study provides a dual-functional surface-coated airway stent to address the clinical complications associated with respiratory tract inflammation and granulation tissue hyperplasia, thus inhibiting tracheal stenosis.

Effects of Different Treatment Methods of Dried Citrus Peel (Chenpi) on Intestinal Microflora and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Healthy Mice

Chenpi is a kind of dried citrus peel from Citrus reticulata, and it is often used as traditional Chinese medicine to treat dyspepsia and respiratory tract inflammation. In this study, to determine which way of chenpi treatment plays a better effect on the prevention of obesity in healthy mice, we conducted 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing for intestinal microbiota and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detector (GC/MSD) analysis for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) of female rats fed with either chenpi decoction or chenpi powder-based diet (n = 10 per group) for 3 weeks. Chenpi powder (CP) group significantly reduced abdominal adipose tissues, subcutaneous adipose tissue, and the serum level of total triacylglycerol (TG). At a deeper level, chenpi powder has a better tendency to increase the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes. It alters the Muribaculaceae and Muribaculum in intestinal microbiota, though it is not significant. The concentrations of acetic acid, valeric acid, and butyric acid increased slightly but not significantly in the CP group. Chenpi decoction just reduced perirenal adipose tissues, but it shows better antioxidant activity. It has little effect on intestinal microbiota. No differences were found for SCFAs in the chenpi decoction (CD) group. The results indicated that chenpi powder has a better effect in preventing obesity in mice. It can provide a basis for the development of functional products related to chenpi powder.

Selective activation of pro-anti-IL-1\u03b2 antibody enhances specificity for autoinflammatory disorder therapy

Canakinumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that specifically neutralizes human interleukin (IL)-1β and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating different types of autoinflammatory disorders such as cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. However, long-term systemic neutralization of IL-1β by Canakinumab may cause severe adverse events such as serious upper respiratory tract infections and inflammation, thereby decreasing the quality of life of patients. Here, we used an IgG1 hinge as an Ab lock to cover the IL-1β-binding site of Canakinumab by linking with matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) substrate to generate pro-Canakinumab that can be specifically activated in the inflamed regions in autoinflammatory diseases to enhance the selectivity and safety of treatment. The Ab lock significantly inhibited the IL-1β-binding by 68-fold compared with Canakinumab, and MMP-9 completely restored the IL-1β neutralizing ability of pro-Canakinumab within 60 min and blocked IL-1β-downstream signaling and IL-1β-regulated genes (i.e., IL-6). It is expected that MMP-9 cleavable and efficient Ab lock will be able to significantly enhance the selective reaction of Canakinumab at the disease site and reduce the on-target toxicities of Canakinumab during systemic circulation, thereby showing potential for development to improve the safety and quality of life of patients with autoinflammatory disorders in the future.

A single intranasal or intramuscular immunization with chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine protects against pneumonia in hamsters.

The development of an effective vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a global priority. Here, we compare the protective capacity of intranasal and intramuscular delivery of a chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine encoding a prefusion stabilized spike protein (chimpanzee adenovirus [ChAd]-SARS-CoV-2-S) in Golden Syrian hamsters. Although immunization with ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-S induces robust spike-protein-specific antibodies capable of neutralizing the virus, antibody levels in serum are higher in hamsters vaccinated by an intranasal compared to intramuscular route. Accordingly, against challenge with SARS-CoV-2, ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-S-immunized hamsters are protected against less weight loss and have reduced viral infection in nasal swabs and lungs, and reduced pathology and inflammatory gene expression in the lungs, compared to ChAd-control immunized hamsters. Intranasal immunization with ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-S provides superior protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. These findings support intranasal administration of the ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-S candidate vaccine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, disease, and possibly transmission.