Baricitinib treatment for hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 on invasive mechanical ventilation: a propensity score-matched and retrospective analysis.

Introduction: Baricitinib is a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK)1 and JAK2, which is associated with clinical improvement in non-severe COVID-19 patients. But in severe COVID-19 patients, the effectiveness of baricitinib is still controversial.

Methods: A propensity score-matched and retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of baricitinib in severe COVID-19 patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

Inhibition of cathepsin L ameliorates inflammation through the A20/NF-κB pathway in endotoxin-induced acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe inflammatory condition that remains refractory; however, its molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Previous studies have shown numerous compounds containing 4-indolyl-2-aminopyrimidine that display strong anti-inflammatory properties. In our research, we identified that a 4-Indole-2-Arylaminopyrimidine derivative named "IAAP" suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation.

CCL11/CCR3-dependent eosinophilia alleviates malignant pleural effusions and improves prognosis.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common occurrence in advanced cancer and is often linked with a poor prognosis. Eosinophils were reported to involve in the development of MPE. However, the role of eosinophils in MPE remains unclear.

Enhancing knowledge mastery in resident students through peer-teaching: a study in respiratory medicine.

Aim: The transition from medical students to competent physicians requires comprehensive training during residency programs. In China, resident students typically undergo 2- or 3-year training programs. While they learn from patient interactions under the guidance of experienced doctors, integrating theoretical knowledge from textbooks into practical cases remains a challenge.

Computer-assisted discovery and evaluation of potential ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta 2 inhibitors.

S6K2 is an important protein in mTOR signaling pathway and cancer. To identify potential S6K2 inhibitors for mTOR pathway treatment, a virtual screening of 1,575,957 active molecules was performed using PLANET, AutoDock GPU, and AutoDock Vina, with their classification abilities compared. The MM/PB(GB)SA method was used to identify four compounds with the strongest binding energies.

Airway epithelial cGAS inhibits LPS-induced acute lung injury through CREB signaling.

Increased levels of cytosolic DNA in lung tissues play an important role in acute lung injury. However, the detailed mechanisms involved remain elusive. Here, we found that cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS, a cytosolic DNA sensor) expression was increased in airway epithelium in response to increased cytosolic DNA.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid polymerase chain reaction for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among high-risk patients: a diagnostic meta-analysis.

Background: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are perceived to facilitate the diagnosis of fungal infections. However, due to lack of standardization, the value of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid PCR in diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains unclear.

Methods: We conducted a systematic meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of BAL fluid PCR in IPA diagnosis among high-risk patients.

Application of a classifier combining bronchial transcriptomics and chest computed tomography features facilitates the diagnostic evaluation of lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers.

Lung cancer screening by computed tomography (CT) reduces mortality but exhibited high false-positive rates. We established a diagnostic classifier combining chest CT features with bronchial transcriptomics. Patients with CT-detected suspected lung cancer were enrolled.

A rapid screening classifier for diagnosing COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic. A classifier combining chest X-ray (CXR) with clinical features may serve as a rapid screening approach. The study included 512 patients with COVID-19 and 106 with influenza A/B pneumonia.

Detection of Viruses by Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Patients with Nonresponding Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background: Nonresponding pneumonia is responsible for the most mortality of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, thus far, it is not clear whether viral infection plays an important role in the etiology of nonresponding CAP and whether there is a significant difference in the clinical characteristics between viral and nonviral nonresponding CAP.

Methods: From 2016 to 2019, nonresponding CAP patients were retrospectively enrolled in our study.

MTOR suppresses autophagy-mediated production of IL25 in allergic airway inflammation.

Introduction: Airway epithelial cells are recognised as an essential controller for the initiation and perpetuation of asthmatic inflammation, yet the detailed mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the roles and mechanisms of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR)-autophagy axis in airway epithelial injury in asthma.

Methods: We examined the MTOR-autophagy signalling in airway epithelium from asthmatic patients or allergic mice induced by ovalbumin or house dust mites, or in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells.

Response of patients with chest tightness variant asthma with routine asthma treatment regimen: A 1-year multicenter, prospective, real-world study.

Background: Asthmatic patients with chest tightness as their only presenting symptom (chest tightness variant asthma [CTVA]) have clinical characteristics of eosinophilic airway inflammation similar to those of classic asthma (CA); however, whether CTVA has similar response to antiasthma treatment as compared with CA remains unclear.

Objective: The response of 76 CTVA patients to standard asthma treatments with inhaled corticosteroids with long-acting beta-agonists was explored in a 52-week multicenter, prospective, real-world study.

Results: After 52 weeks of treatment with therapy regimens used for CA, the mean 5-point Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-5) score decreased markedly from 1.

Cigarette smoke-initiated autoimmunity facilitates sensitisation to elastin-induced COPD-like pathologies in mice.

It is currently not understood whether cigarette smoke exposure facilitates sensitisation to self-antigens and whether ensuing auto-reactive T cells drive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-associated pathologies.To address this question, mice were exposed to cigarette smoke for 2 weeks. Following a 2-week period of rest, mice were challenged intratracheally with elastin for 3 days or 1 month.

Airway Epithelial cGAS Is Critical for Induction of Experimental Allergic Airway Inflammation.

DNA damage could lead to the accumulation of cytosolic DNA, and the cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway has been implicated in multiple inflammatory diseases. However, the role of cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway in asthma pathogenesis is still unclear. This article explored the role of airway epithelial cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), the major sensor of cytosolic dsDNA, in asthma pathogenesis.

ATF3 is positively involved in particulate matter-induced airway inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) has been reported to be associated with a wide range of respiratory disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying PM-induced airway inflammation remain largely unknown. Generally, ATF3 negatively regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines production in response to TLR4 signaling.

Proteomic analysis of sputum reveals novel biomarkers for various presentations of asthma.

Background: It is now recognized that asthma can present in different forms. Typically, asthma present with symptoms of wheeze, breathlessness and cough. Atypical forms of asthma such as cough variant asthma (CVA) or chest tightness variant asthma (CTVA) do not wheeze.

Nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor-2 Nrf2 ameliorates cigarette smoking-induced mucus overproduction in airway epithelium and mouse lungs.

Background And Objective: Nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is known to play important roles in airway disorders, whereas little has been investigated about its direct role in airway mucus hypersecretion. The aim of this study is to determine whether this factor could protect pulmonary epithelium and mouse airway from cigarette-induced mucus overproduction.

Methods: Using genetic approaches, the role of Nrf2 on cigarette smoking extracts (CSE) induced MUC5AC expression was investigated in lung A549 cells.

Interleukin-13-induced MUC5AC expression is regulated by a PI3K-NFAT3 pathway in mouse tracheal epithelial cells.

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) plays a critical role in asthma mucus overproduction, while the mechanisms underlying this process are not fully elucidated. Previous studies showed that nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, but whether it can directly regulate IL-13-induced mucus (particularly MUC5AC) production is still not clear. Here we showed that IL-13 specifically induced NFAT3 activation through promoting its dephosphorylation in air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures of mouse tracheal epithelial cells (mTECs).

P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide-induced MUC5AC and CLCA3 expression is partly through Duox1 in vitro and in vivo.

Background: We have previously found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (PA-LPS) induced MUC5AC in airway epithelial cells. Dual oxidase1 (Duox1), a member of NADPH oxidase(Nox), is known to be responsible for ROS production in respiratory tract epithelial cells. Our aim was to clarify whether Duox1 was also involved in the PA-LPS-induced MUC5AC and calcium dependent chloride channel 3(Clca3), another recognized marker of goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hyper-production.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism is associated with COPD risk in Asian population: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Several molecular epidemiological studies were conducted in recent years to evaluate the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associated with insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). However, the results remain conflicting rather than conclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of association between ACE polymorphism and the risk of COPD, we performed a meta-analysis from all available relevant studies.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of trachea: a case report and review of literature.

Primary tracheal tumors are relatively rare. Here we report one case of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea which was ever misdiagnosed as asthma and hysteria. In this case, the pulmonary function test was normal, and firstly no obvious abnormalities were found in laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy and CT scan of chest.

Association between polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase P1 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis.

Background: It was proposed that glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) gene involved in detoxification of electrophilic substances may be related with lung function. The present study aimed at investigating the correlation between GSTP1 105Val/Val genotype and chronic obstruct pulmonary disease (COPD) using a meta-analysis of existed studies.

Methods: The Embase, Ovid, and PubMed databases were searched to identify eligible studies published before October 1, 2009.

Reactive oxygen species regulate Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide-induced MUC5AC mucin expression via PKC-NADPH oxidase-ROS-TGF-alpha signaling pathways in human airway epithelial cells.

Mucin overproduction is a hallmark of chronic inflammatory airway diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis. Excessive production of mucin leads to airway mucus obstruction and contributes to morbidity and mortality in these diseases. The molecular mechanisms underlying mucin overproduction, however, still remain largely unknown.