Prognostic Implications of Initial Radiological Findings of Pulmonary Fibrosis in Patients with Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Prospective Multicentric Study.

Pulmonary fibrosis detected during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection may significantly influence patient prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of initial high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of pulmonary fibrosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to examine how these findings relate to disease severity and clinical outcomes, with a particular focus on the development and validation of predictive scoring systems. In this multicentric prospective cohort study from January 2023 to January 2024, 120 adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring hospitalization were enrolled from two Romanian university hospitals.

Emerging Nanomedicine Approaches in Targeted Lung Cancer Treatment.

Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is characterized by its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. As traditional chemotherapy has the disadvantage of non-specificity, nanomedicine offers innovative approaches for targeted therapy, particularly through the development of nanoparticles that can deliver therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells, minimizing systemic toxicity and enhancing treatment efficacy. VEGF and VEGFR are shown to be responsible for activating different signaling cascades, which will ultimately enhance tumor development, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Predictive Value and Diagnostic Potential of IL-10, IL-17A, IL1-β, IL-6, CXCL, and MCP for Severe COVID-19 and COVID-19 Mortality.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) necessitates advanced prognostic tools to anticipate disease progression and optimize patient outcomes. This study evaluates the predictive value and diagnostic potential of interleukins interleukin (IL) IL-10, IL-17A, IL1-β, IL-6, chemokine ligand (CXCL), and Monocyte Chemotactic Protein (MCP) for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19 mortality, aiming to correlate cytokine levels with disease severity. Conducted from January 2023 to January 2024, this prospective cohort study involved patients hospitalized with moderate and severe COVID-19 from Romania.

Impact of Pre-Infection COVID-19 Vaccination on the Incidence and Severity of Post-COVID Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review critically evaluated the impact of a pre-infection COVID-19 vaccination on the incidence and severity of post-COVID-19 syndrome and aimed to assess the potential protective effect across different vaccines and patient demographics. This study hypothesized that vaccination before infection substantially reduces the risk and severity of post-COVID-19 syndrome. In October 2023, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across three databases, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, focusing on studies published up to that date.

A Narrative Review of Self-Reported Scales to Evaluate Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients.

: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent chronic condition that has been associated with mental disorders like depression and anxiety. This study intends to provide a practical overview of the most relevant self-reported and self-rating scales that assess depression and anxiety in OSA patients. : A search for articles was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar using a combination of words for obstructive sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and scales.

Large Lung Consolidation: A Rare Presentation of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a complex inflammatory disease of uncertain origin, characterized by non-necrotizing epithelioid cell granulomas (NNEGs) affecting multiple organ systems. Although many different clinical and pathological phenotypes can be present, with different organs involved, the lung is the most common site described. In this case report, we (a) present and discuss the broad differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with a solitary lung mass with clinical and imaging features of lung cancer that ultimately was confirmed with a rare manifestation of stage II pulmonary sarcoidosis, and (b) analyze and compare similar cases from the literature.

Airborne Particulate Matter Size and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: A Prospective, Risk-Factor Analysis Comparing Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease 3 and 4 Categories.

Current research primarily emphasizes the generalized correlations between airborne pollution and respiratory diseases, seldom considering the differential impacts of particular particulate matter sizes on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations in distinct Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) categories. This study hypothesizes a critical association between particulate matter sizes (PM 1.0, PM 2.

Differential Outcomes of VATS and Open Surgery in Lung Cancer Patients with Antecedent Oncological Diagnoses.

Primary lung cancer is a devastating disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with a previous oncological history may present with multiple comorbidities, unique clinical features, and unique outcomes after surgical intervention for primary lung cancer. This study aimed to compare the clinical features and outcomes of patients with a previous oncological history who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or open surgery (OS) for primary lung cancer.

Longitudinal Analysis of Pulmonary Function Impairment One Year Post-COVID-19: A Single-Center Study.

Persistent pulmonary impairment post-COVID-19 has been reported, albeit variably. This single-center observational study aims to longitudinally evaluate pulmonary function in 140 COVID-19 survivors one year after recovery, assessing associations with disease severity and pre-existing lung conditions. Participants aged 18 and older, with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, were evaluated using spirometry and Diffusion Capacity of Lungs for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) tests.

Post-Infection Oscillometry and Pulmonary Metrics in SARS-CoV-2 Patients: A 40-Day Follow-Up Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has had significant impacts on pulmonary function. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate pulmonary function and structure in patients 40 days post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, employing an array of testing methodologies including spirometry, plethysmography, forced oscillometry, and CT scanning. It also sought to establish potential correlations between these metrics and evaluate if forced oscillometry could provide additional value in post-infective lung function assessment.

Sleep Quality Aspects in Post-COVID-19 Patients.

In this observational cohort study, sleep quality in post-COVID-19 patients was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. This study aimed to examine aspects of sleep quality in patients who have undergone SARS-CoV-2 infection and if there is a pattern of progression or regression over time (6 months). We also observed and analyzed the results in order to identify any possible links between the severity of COVID-19 and sleep quality as measured by the PSQI questionnaire.

A Systematic Review of Telemedicine-Driven Pulmonary Rehabilitation after the Acute Phase of COVID-19.

The acute phase of COVID-19 often leaves patients with persistent pulmonary deficits. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) has been recommended as an essential part of post-acute COVID-19 management. In light of the global pandemic, telerehabilitation has been increasingly employed to deliver PR.

Serum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Levels of Cytokines in Patients with Lung Cancer and Chronic Lung Disease: A Prospective Comparative Study.

The role of chronic inflammation in the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis has been well-established in previous studies, particularly in the stages of malignant conversion, invasion, and metastasis. This study aimed to explore the potential correlation between the levels of cytokines in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by comparing their levels between patients with lung cancer and those with benign lung diseases. The study measured the concentration of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12p70, in venous blood and BALF of a total of 33 patients with lung cancer and 33 patients with benign lung diseases.

The Association of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and Interleukins in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid with Lung Cancer: A Prospective Analysis.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Identifying novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is essential for improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of cytokines from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

Massive Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum-A Form of Presentation for Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia.

For COVID-19 pneumonia, many manifestations such as fever, dyspnea, dry cough, anosmia and tiredness have been described, but differences have been observed from person to person according to age, pulmonary function, damage and severity. In clinical practice, it has been found that patients with severe forms of infection with COVID-19 develop serious complications, including pneumomediastinum. Although two years have passed since the beginning of the pandemic with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the COVID-19 infection, there are also unknown factors that contribute to the evolution of the disease and can lead to the emergence some complications.

CPAP Therapy on Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients with Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.

Backgrounds and Objectives: There is a link between sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) and depressive and anxiety symptoms, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of these symptoms in patients with OSA and to evaluate the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on depression and anxiety scores. Materials and Methods: Ninety-nine consecutive new patients diagnosed with moderate or severe (apnea-hypopnea index AHI ≥ 15 events/h) OSA were accepted for the CPAP therapy.

Endothelial dysfunction: The possible link between cardiovascular comorbidities and phenomenon of inflammaging from COPD.

Aging is a risk factor for many chronic noncommunicable diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is often associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moreover, aging is associated with a mild form of systemic inflammation. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between age, systemic and vascular inflammation, and the presence of CVD comorbidities in a stable COPD population.

The Impact of Air Pollution on Frequent Exacerbations among COPD Patients: An Observational Study on the Population of Western Romania.

Patients with respiratory pathologies are the risk group most affected by air pollution, being directly exposed, especially those diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this observational study, which included 79 patients, we evaluated whether COPD patients with the frequent exacerbating phenotype or the infrequent exacerbating phenotype live in residences with higher values of air pollution. An air quality monitoring station was installed in each patient's house for at least 24 h and PM 1.

ANCA-associated vasculitis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A case report and brief review of the literature.

Rationale: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with poor prognosis. Patients with IPF represent a heterogeneous population with several described clinical phenotypes. More recently, the development of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis in IPF patients, with an incidence higher than that in the general population, has drawn attention.