LncRNA SLCO4A1-AS1 suppresses lung cancer progression by sequestering the TOX4-NTSR1 signaling axis.

Background: Metastasis is a multistep process involving the migration and invasion of cancer cells and is a hallmark of cancer malignancy. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in the regulation of metastasis. This study aims to elucidate the role of the lncRNA solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 4A1-antisense 1 (SLCO4A1-AS1) in metastasis and its underlying regulatory mechanisms.

Quantifiable features of a tidal breathing phenotype in dogs with severe bronchomalacia diagnosed by bronchoscopy.

Dynamic lower airway obstruction is the primary component of canine bronchomalacia, but the ventilatory function remains underinvestigated. This prospective study analyzed tidal breathing characteristics in 28 dogs, comprising 14 with severe bronchomalacia diagnosed by bronchoscopy versus 14 without respiratory disease. Spirometry was conducted in all dogs.

Automatic tube compensation for liberation from prolonged mechanical ventilation in tracheostomized patients: A retrospective analysis.

Background: To analyze the predictability of an automatic tube compensation (ATC) screening test compared with the conventional direct liberation test performed before continuous oxygen support for MV liberation.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed tracheostomized patients with prolonged MV in a weaning unit of a medical center in Taiwan. In March 2020, a four-day ATC test to screen patient eligibility for ventilator liberation was implemented, intended to replace the direct liberation test.

Impact of ventilator settings during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on clinical outcomes in influenza-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: Patients with influenza-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) support have a high mortality rate. Ventilator settings have been known to have a substantial impact on outcomes. However, the optimal settings of mechanical ventilation during vv-ECMO are still unknown.

Safety and efficacy of vacuum bottle plus catheter for drainage of iatrogenic pneumothorax.

Background: Iatrogenic pneumothorax is common after thoracic procedures. For patients with pneumothorax larger than 15%, simple aspiration is suggested. Although vacuum bottle plus non-tunneled catheter drainage has been performed in many institutions, its safety and efficacy remain to be assessed.

Influence of concurrent lower respiratory tract disease on point-of-care lung ultrasound in small-breed dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Background: Small-breed dogs commonly have concurrent myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD).

Hypothesis: Small-breed dogs with preclinical MMVD and concurrent LRTD have more B-lines on point-of-care lung ultrasound (POC-LUS) compared to dogs without concurrent LRTD and are prone to misdiagnose as cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE).

Animals: A total of 114 small-breed dogs with preclinical MMVD.

The application of ultrasound shear wave elastography in the prediction of paradoxical upgrading reaction in tuberculous lymphadenitis. a pilot study.

Background: Paradoxical upgrading reaction (PUR) indicates the unanticipated deterioration during therapy in patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis. We investigated the diagnostic performance of the ultrasonography and shear wave elastography (SWE) in predicting the therapeutic response of peripheral tuberculous lymphadenitis.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from December 2017 to August 2020.

Inspiratory muscle activation during inspiratory muscle training in patients with COPD.

Background And Objectives: The main target of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is to improve diaphragm function in patients with COPD who have inspiratory muscle weakness. Ventilatory demand is already increased during quiet breathing in patients with COPD, and whether threshold load imposed by IMT would active more accessory muscle remained to be determined. The purpose of this study was to examine diaphragm and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) activation during IMT with intensities of 30% and 50% maximal inspiratory pressure (P).

End-Expiratory Lung Volumes During Spontaneous Breathing Trials in Tracheostomized Subjects on Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation.

Background: The role of end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) during a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) in patients who were tracheostomized and on prolonged mechanical ventilation is unclear. This study aimed to assess EELV during a 60-min SBT and its correlation with weaning success.

Methods: Enrolled subjects admitted to a weaning unit were measured for EELV and relevant parameters before and after the SBT.

Etiology-associated heterogeneity in acute respiratory distress syndrome: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Heterogeneity in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has led to many statistically negative clinical trials. Etiology is considered an important source of pathogenesis heterogeneity in ARDS but previous studies have usually adopted a dichotomous classification, such as pulmonary versus extrapulmonary ARDS, to evaluate it. Etiology-associated heterogeneity in ARDS remains poorly described.

Usefulness of Chest Ultrasonography in Predicting Diagnosis in Non-emergency Small Animal Patients With Lung Parenchymal and Pleural Disease.

Chest ultrasonography has become an indispensable tool for pulmonary specialists in human medicine, but its current use in dogs and cats is primarily for emergency. The diagnostic performances of various ultrasonographic features other than comet-tail artifacts are of limited information in veterinary literatures. Therefore, the aims of this retrospective study were to investigate ultrasonographic findings in feline and canine respiratory patients with lung parenchymal and pleural space diseases, and to assess how ultrasonographic features correspond to specific diagnoses.

A Strategy to Treat COVID-19 Disease With Targeted Delivery of Inhalable Liposomal Hydroxychloroquine: A Preclinical Pharmacokinetic Study.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a newly identified pathogen causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), an antimalarial and anti-inflammatory drug, has been shown to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and tested in clinical studies. However, achievement of lung concentrations predicted to have in vivo antiviral efficacy might not be possible with the currently proposed oral dosing regimens.

Application of transthoracic shear-wave ultrasound elastography in lung lesions.

Introduction: Tissue stiffness information may help in the diagnosis of lung lesions. This study aimed to investigate and validate the application of transthoracic two-dimensional shear-wave ultrasound elastography in differentiating malignant from benign subpleural lung lesions.

Methods: This study involved one retrospective observational derivation cohort from January 2016 to December 2017 and one prospective observational validation cohort from December 2017 to December 2019.

Kinetics of oxygen uptake during unassisted breathing trials in prolonged mechanical ventilation: a prospective pilot study.

Few studies have investigated the measurement of oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O) in tracheostomized patients undergoing unassisted breathing trials (UBTs) for liberation from mechanical ventilation (MV). Using an open-circuit, breath-to-breath method, we continuously measured [Formula: see text]O and relevant parameters during 120-min UBTs via a T-tube in 49 tracheostomized patients with prolonged MV, and calculated mean values in the first and last 5-min periods. Forty-one (84%) patients successfully completed the UBTs.

Association of weaning preparedness with extubation outcome of mechanically ventilated patients in medical intensive care units: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Assessment of preparedness of weaning has been recommended before extubation for mechanically ventilated patients. We aimed to understand the association of a structured assessment of weaning preparedness with successful liberation.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated patients with acute respiratory failure who experienced an extubation trial at the medical intensive care units of a medical center and compared the demographic and clinical characteristics between those patients with successful and failed extubation.

Improving patient safety during intrahospital transportation of mechanically ventilated patients with critical illness.

Aim: Intrahospital transportation (IHT) of patients under mechanical ventilation (MV) significantly increases the risk of patient harm. A structured process performed by a well-prepared team with adequate communication among team members plays a vital role in enhancing patient safety during transportation.

Design And Implementation: We conducted this quality improvement programme at the intensive care units of a university-affiliated medical centre, focusing on the care of patients under MV who received IHT for CT or MRI examinations.

Maximal expiratory pressure is associated with reinstitution of mechanical ventilation after successful unassisted breathing trials in tracheostomized patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Objective: Reinstitution of mechanical ventilation (MV) for tracheostomized patients after successful weaning may occur as the care setting changes from critical care to general care. We aimed to investigate the occurrence, consequence and associated factors of MV reinstitution.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical data and physiological measurements of tracheostomized patients with prolonged MV discharged from the weaning unit to general wards after successful weaning to compare between those with and without in-hospital MV reinstitution within 60 days.

In Vitro Evaluation of Aerosol Performance and Delivery Efficiency During Mechanical Ventilation Between Soft Mist Inhaler and Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhaler.

Background: Soft mist inhalers (SMIs) generate aerosols with a smaller particle size than pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs). However, the whole-span particle size distribution (PSD) of SMIs and the optimal delivery method of SMIs during mechanical ventilation have not been fully investigated. This study aimed to measure the PSD of the SMI alone and the SMI coupled to an inhalation aid (eg, a spacer, a valved holding chamber), as well as the delivery efficiency of SMI in different actuation timings and circuit positions during mechanical ventilation.

Dynamic Changes in Prognosis with Elapsed Time on Ventilators among Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

Previous outcome studies of mechanical ventilation usually adopted a static timeframe to observe the outcome and reported prognosis from the standpoint of the first ventilator day. However, patients and their families may repeatedly inquire about prognosis over time after the initiation of mechanical ventilation. We aimed to describe dynamic changes in prognosis according to the elapsed time on a ventilator among mechanically ventilated patients.

Pre-extubation functional residual capacity and risk of extubation failure among patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure.

Hypoxemic respiratory failure is usually accompanied with a certain extent of consolidation and alveolar derecruitment, which may still be present even after the patients have achieved the status of readiness to extubate. Functional residual capacity (FRC) is an indicator of lung aeration. This study aimed to evaluate whether pre-extubation FRC is associated with the risk of extubation failure in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure.

An observational study of the role of indoor air pollution in pets with naturally acquired bronchial/lung disease.

Background: Indoor air pollution (IAP) is an emerging issue for both human and veterinary patients under the concept of 'One Health'. The association between IAP and respiratory disease in companion animals has been reported.

Objectives: The present study investigated the relationship between quantifiable indoor air quality and clinical characteristics of naturally acquired bronchial/lung disease in pet dogs and cats.

Inspiratory muscle training attenuates irradiation-induced diaphragm dysfunction.

Because radiotherapy (RT) can induce diaphragm dysfunction, this study investigated the protective effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on RT-induced diaphragm damage in patients with esophageal cancer during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in a preclinical setting, and an animal model was designed to confirm and explore the underlying mechanism. Six subjects who underwent CCRT were randomly enrolled in the control or concurrent-IMT group (n=3 per group). The training intensity was set to 30% maximal effort.