Telomere-based risk models for the early diagnosis of lung cancer.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of telomere length measurements as diagnostic biomarkers during early screening for lung cancer in high-risk patients.

Methods: This was a prospective study of patients undergoing lung cancer diagnosis at two Spanish hospitals between April 2017 and January 2020. Telomeres from peripheral blood lymphocytes were analysed by Telomere Analysis Technology, which is based in high-throughput quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Ultrasound in the Study of Thoracic Diseases: Innovative Aspects.

Thoracic ultrasound (TU) has rapidly gained popularity over the past 10 years. This is in part because ultrasound equipment is available in many settings, more training programmes are educating trainees in this technique, and ultrasound can be done rapidly without exposure to radiation. The aim of this review is to present the most interesting and innovative aspects of the use of TU in the study of thoracic diseases.

Artery occlusion independently predicts unfavorable outcome in cervical artery dissection.

Objective: To assess the impact of dissected artery occlusion (DAO) on functional outcome and complications in patients with cervical artery dissection (CeAD).

Methods: We analyzed combined individual patient data from 3 multicenter cohorts of consecutive patients with CeAD (the Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients [CADISP]-Plus consortium dataset). Patients with data on DAO and functional outcome were included.

Genetic Imbalance Is Associated With Functional Outcome After Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose- We sought to explore the effect of genetic imbalance on functional outcome after ischemic stroke (IS). Methods- Copy number variation was identified in high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism microarray data of IS patients from the CADISP (Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients) and SiGN (Stroke Genetics Network)/GISCOME (Genetics of Ischaemic Stroke Functional Outcome) networks. Genetic imbalance, defined as total number of protein-coding genes affected by copy number variations in an individual, was compared between patients with favorable (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2) and unfavorable (modified Rankin Scale score of ≥3) outcome after 3 months.

Airborne acquisition of Pneumocystis in bronchoscopy units: a hidden danger to healthcare workers.

The possible presence of Pneumocystis in a bronchoscopy unit of a tertiary-hospital was examined by detecting Pneumocystis-specific DNA by polymerase chain reaction in prospectively obtained samples of oropharyngeal wash from seven healthcare workers (HCWs) and air from three areas of the unit at different time points (baseline, days +15,+30,+60,+90 after initiation of the study). Positive samples were genotyped at two genetic loci: the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA (mtLSUrRNA) fragment by direct sequencing and the gene for dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) by restriction fragment-length polymorphism. Pneumocystis DNA was identified in 13/24 samples from HCWs, in 4/14 air samples and also in two patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) and another with a Pneumocystis-associated disease subjected to bronchoscopy on days +15 and +60 after initiation of the study.

Determinants and outcome of multiple and early recurrent cervical artery dissections.

Objective: To assess putative risk factors and outcome of multiple and early recurrent cervical artery dissection (CeAD).

Methods: We combined data from 2 multicenter cohorts and compared patients with multiple CeAD at initial diagnosis, early recurrent CeAD within 3 to 6 months, and single nonrecurrent CeAD. Putative risk factors, clinical characteristics, functional outcome, and risk of recurrent ischemic events were assessed.

Pneumocystis jirovecii infection in patients with acute interstitial pneumonia.

Objective: Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a severe disease of unknown etiology. Pneumocystis jirovecii is an atypical opportunistic fungus able to colonize patients with chronic pulmonary disease and inducing alveolar macrophage activation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between Pneumocystis jirovecii and AIP.

Survivin is a negative prognostic factor in malignant pleural effusion.

Background: Survivin is a well-known member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, and has been related to increased tumour aggressivity, both in tissue and in pleural fluid.

Objectives: In patients with malignant pleural effusion, we sought to investigate the changes in pleural fluid survivin concentrations induced by talc instillation into the pleural space. Those changes were also examined in relation to pleurodesis outcome and patient survival.

Next generation sequencing analysis of patients with familial cervical artery dissection.

Background: The cause of cervical artery dissection is not well understood. We test the hypothesis that mutations in genes associated with known arterial connective tissue disorders are enriched in patients with familial cervical artery dissection.

Patients And Methods: Patient duos from nine pedigrees with familial cervical artery dissection were analyzed by whole exome sequencing.

Cervical artery dissection in patients ≥60 years: Often painless, few mechanical triggers.

Objective: In a cohort of patients diagnosed with cervical artery dissection (CeAD), to determine the proportion of patients aged ≥60 years and compare the frequency of characteristics (presenting symptoms, risk factors, and outcome) in patients aged <60 vs ≥60 years.

Methods: We combined data from 3 large cohorts of consecutive patients diagnosed with CeAD (i.e.

Familial occurrence and heritable connective tissue disorders in cervical artery dissection.

Objective: In a large series of patients with cervical artery dissection (CeAD), a major cause of ischemic stroke in young and middle-aged adults, we aimed to examine frequencies and correlates of family history of CeAD and of inherited connective tissue disorders.

Methods: We combined data from 2 large international multicenter cohorts of consecutive patients with CeAD in 23 neurologic departments participating in the CADISP-plus consortium, following a standardized protocol. Frequency of reported family history of CeAD and of inherited connective tissue disorders was assessed.

Clinical import of Horner syndrome in internal carotid and vertebral artery dissection.

Objective: To study the prognostic importance of Horner syndrome (HS) in patients with internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) or vertebral artery dissection (VAD).

Methods: In this observational study, characteristics and outcome of patients with ICAD or VAD from the CADISP (Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients) database were analyzed. The presence of HS was systematically assessed using a standardized questionnaire.

Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma involving the nail's apparatus. Case report and literature review.

Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma is a rare tumor of soft tissues. It is a relatively new entity described in 2001 by Fetsch et al. It probably represents a fibrohistiocytic tumor with less than 170 described cases.

Design and mechanical evaluation of a capacitive sensor-based indexed platform for verification of portable coordinate measuring instruments.

During the last years, the use of Portable Coordinate Measuring Machines (PCMMs) in industry has increased considerably, mostly due to their flexibility for accomplishing in-line measuring tasks as well as their reduced costs and operational advantages as compared to traditional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). However, their operation has a significant drawback derived from the techniques applied in the verification and optimization procedures of their kinematic parameters. These techniques are based on the capture of data with the measuring instrument from a calibrated gauge object, fixed successively in various positions so that most of the instrument measuring volume is covered, which results in time-consuming, tedious and expensive verification procedures.

Identification of proteomic signatures associated with lung cancer and COPD.

Unlabelled: Lung cancer (LC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly coexist in smokers, and the presence of COPD increases the risk of developing LC. The aim of this study was to identify distinct proteomic profiles able to discriminate these two pathological entities. Protein content was assessed in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 60 patients classified in four groups: COPD, COPD and LC, LC without COPD, and control with neither COPD nor LC.

Cervical artery dissection: trauma and other potential mechanical trigger events.

Objective: To examine the import of prior cervical trauma (PCT) in patients with cervical artery dissection (CeAD).

Methods: In this observational study, the presence of and the type of PCT were systematically ascertained in CeAD patients using 2 different populations for comparisons: 1) age- and sex-matched patients with ischemic stroke attributable to a cause other than CeAD (non-CeAD-IS), and 2) healthy subjects participating in the Cervical Artery Dissection and Ischemic Stroke Patients Study. The presence of PCT within 1 month was assessed using a standardized questionnaire.

Association between the miRNA signatures in plasma and bronchoalveolar fluid in respiratory pathologies.

The identification of new less invasive biomarkers is necessary to improve the detection and prognostic outcome of respiratory pathological processes. The measurement of miRNA expression through less invasive techniques such as plasma and serum have been suggested to analysis of several lung malignancies including lung cancer. These studies are assuming a common deregulated miRNA expression both in blood and lung tissue.

Confusion, agitation and delirium.

Delirium is one of the most serious and common complications that up to one third of older patients admitted to hospital develop. It is characterized by a disturbance of consciousness, decreased attention, and disorganized thinking that develops over a short period of time, and fluctuates during the course of the day. Delirium post-stroke prevalence ranges from 13 to 48% in general hospitals, and from 10.

Cholesterol dependence of Newcastle Disease Virus entry.

Lipid rafts are membrane microdomains enriched in cholesterol, sphingolipids, and glycolipids that have been implicated in many biological processes. Since cholesterol is known to play a key role in the entry of some other viruses, we investigated the role of cholesterol and lipid rafts in the host cell plasma membrane in Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) entry. We used methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) to deplete cellular cholesterol and disrupt lipid rafts.

Cranial nerve injury after minor head trauma.

Object: There are no specific studies about cranial nerve (CN) injury following mild head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale Score 14-15) in the literature. The aim of this analysis was to document the incidence of CN injury after mild head trauma and to correlate the initial CT findings with the final outcome 1 year after injury.

Methods: The authors studied 49 consecutive patients affected by minor head trauma and CN lesions between January 2000 and January 2006.

Utility of high-resolution computed tomography and BAL in cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.

Background: Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) is a rare disease, and its diagnosis requires histological confirmation. The objective of our study was to describe the findings of the thoracic high-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patients with confirmed COP and evaluate the complementary diagnostic use of BAL and thoracic HR-CT.

Methods: Patients recorded in the registry of interstitial pulmonary diseases between 1991 and 2008 were located and the COP patients selected.