Trichloroethylene increases pulmonary endothelial permeability: implication for pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.

Trichloroethylene exposure is a major risk factor for pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. We demonstrated that trichloroethylene alters the endothelial barrier integrity, at least in part, through vascular endothelial (VE)-Cadherin internalisation, and suggested that this mechanism may play a role in the development of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease.

Catheter Reprocessing for Coronary Angiography: It is Not Safe.

Background: Coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention are frequently and increasingly performed worldwide. Although catheters for coronary angiography are considered as single-use devices, some people still question this decision. This study evaluated the structural characteristics and thermal stability of new and reprocessed catheters.

Development of hydrophobic polyurethane/castor oil biocomposites with agroindustrial residues for sorption of oils and organic solvents.

Since pollution of aquifer sources by organic compounds is a threat to the environment and humans, technology's constant advancement in developing sustainable adsorbents using renewable resources with hydrophobic characteristics has become increasingly attractive. In this study, we developed and characterized castor oil-based polyurethane biocomposites reinforced with malt and/or acerola residues for adsorption/separation of various organic oils/solvents. The residues evidenced biocomposite flexibility, increase in adsorption capacity for all organic oils/solvents, with a maximum of 3257.

Functional interaction between PDGFβ and GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors in smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

In this study, we explored the complex interactions between platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and their effect on the excessive proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells leading to obstructed arteries in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We report lower expression of glutamate receptor NMDA-type subunit 2B (GluN2B), a subunit composing NMDARs expected to affect cell survival/proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), in PAH patient lungs. PASMC exposure to PDGF-BB stimulated immediate increased levels of phosphorylated Src family kinases (SFKs) together with increased phosphorylated GluN2B (its active form) and cell surface relocalization, suggesting a cross talk between PDGFR-recruited SFKs and NMDAR.

Handgrip Dynamometry and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment in Patients with Nonresectable Lung Cancer.

Introduction: Undernutrition is frequently associated with advanced lung cancer. Accurate nutritional assessment tools are important to provide the proper nutritional therapy. Handgrip dynamometry has already been used in these patients, and the findings suggest that it is a good indicator of nutritional status.