Elevated interleukin (IL)-6 as a predictor of disease severity among Covid-19 patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: accompanied to the spreading of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the world, identifying factors related to the severity of the disease is one of the interests of physician and medical researchers. We hypothesized that interleukin 6 serum level is associated with severe outcome.

Methods: In this longitudinal prospective cohort study we enrolled 208 confirmed COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the Tohid Hospital (Sanandaj, Iran).

The risk profile of patients with COVID-19 as predictors of lung lesions severity and mortality-Development and validation of a prediction model.

Objective: We developed and validated a prediction model based on individuals' risk profiles to predict the severity of lung involvement and death in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we studied hospitalized COVID-19 patients with data on chest CT scans performed during hospital stay (February 2020-April 2021) in a training dataset (TD) ( = 2,251) and an external validation dataset (eVD) ( = 993). We used the most relevant demographical, clinical, and laboratory variables ( = 25) as potential predictors of COVID-19-related outcomes.

Comparative efficacy of honey 12.5% and chlorhexidine 0.2% mouthwashes on the oropharyngeal bacterial colonization in mechanically-ventilated patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of honey mouthwash 12.5% and chlorhexidine solution 0.2% to reduce the rate of oropharyngeal bacterial colonization in mechanically-ventilated patients.

Serum level of stem cell factor and its soluble receptor in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Stem cell factor (SCF) may be associated with inflammatory processes leading to aspirin-induced asthma. This study evaluated the relationship between serum level of SCF and its soluble receptor with aspirin-induced asthma. Twenty-five patients and 25 healthy controls were enrolled in this study.

Redefining Cut-Points for High Symptom Burden of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Classification in 18,577 Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be classified into groups A/C or B/D based on symptom intensity. Different threshold values for symptom questionnaires can result in misclassification and, in turn, different treatment recommendations. The primary aim was to find the best fitting cut-points for Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) symptom measures, with an modified Medical Research Council dyspnea grade of 2 or higher as point of reference.

Comparative Network Analysis of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Smokers for Representing Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the serum autoantibody (AAb) repertoires of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and smokers (SM), leading to the identification of overactivated pathways and hubs involved in the pathogenesis of NSCLC. Surface- and solution-phase biopanning were performed on immunoglobulin G purified from the sera of NSCLC and SM groups.

What Do We Know about Anthracofibrosis? A Literature Review.

Recently, the significance of anthracosis in the tracheobronchial tree, lung parenchyma, and even non-respiratory organs has been postulated and discussed in association with other diseases, especially tuberculosis. We reviewed the current literature by using the following key words in Medline/PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases: anthracosis, anthracofibrosis, anthracotic bronchitis, biomass fuels, and mixed-dust pneumoconiosis. The bibliographies of eligible papers were also reviewed for further relevant articles.

Soluble CD93 as a Novel Biomarker in Asthma Exacerbation.

Asthma research is shifting from studying symptoms and lung functions to the narrow-focus cellular profiles protein analysis, biomarkers, and genetic markers. The transmembrane glycoprotein CD93 is involved in endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, leukocytes extravasation, apoptosis, innate immunity and inflammation. Relationships between the serum level of soluble CD93 (sCD93) and acute myocardial infarction/premature MI/inflammatory arthritis/skin sclerosis have recently been reported.

Bronchoalveolar galactomannan in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: a prospective study in pediatric patients.

Background: Elevations in the number of immunocompromised patients in the past decade has lead to progressive increase in the incidence of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA) among children; however, early diagnosis remains a challenge. Detection of galactomannan (GM) in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid appears to possess higher sensitivity and specificity than serum in immunocompromised adult patients but, it rarely has been investigated in pediatric patients.

Methods: We performed a prospective case-control study to evaluate the efficacy of BAL GM in immunocompromised pediatric patients.

First presentation of a case of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis with spontaneous pneumothorax.

Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare disease of unknown origin. It is characterized by the presence of small calculi within the alveolar spaces, and has various clinical manifestations. Some patients may be asymptomatic for a long period of time with subsequent occurrence of dyspnea, dry cough, chest pain, and eventually, respiratory failure.

Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody in patients with wood-smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) without rheumatoid arthritis.

Citrullination, a post-translational modification of proteins, is increased in inflammatory processes and is known to occur in smokers. It can induce anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, the most specific serologic marker for rheumatoid arthritis. Thus far, the incidence of autoimmunity in patients with wood-smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulting in anti-CCP production has not been examined.

Reliability and validity of Persian version of perceived stress scale (PSS-10) in adults with asthma.

Background: Asthma is a major public health problem in the world, and recent findings suggest that stress influences asthma and asthma morbidity. The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) is one of the most frequently used instruments to measure psychological stress. This study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian versions of the PSS-10 in adults with asthma.

Determination of the best prognostic value of serum tumor markers in patients with suspected lung cancer in an Iranian population.

Background: Finding a suitable marker with high sensitivity and specificity for early diagnosis of cancer is very desirable. This study was aimed to determine the diagnostic value of serum CYFRA21-1, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) for screening of lung cancer patients in western Iran.

Methods: This descriptive analytical case-control study was performed on 30 subjects with malignant and 81 with benign lung cancer.

Diagnostic value of serum adenosine deaminase level in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: In some studies, the level of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in sputum and effusion liquids was used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). But it is not always possible to access these materials. The goal of this study is to assess the diagnostic value of serum ADA levels in pulmonary TB patients.

Correlation between hs-CRP and Asthma Control Indices.

Background: Local and systemic inflammation occur at the same time in asthma and high sensitive CRP may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Conventional approaches to monitor and control asthma involve no direct assessment of airway inflammation. There are some recent data postulating a discrepancy between the markers of airway and systemic inflammation and asthma control test (ACT) scores.

Validation of Persian Version of Asthma Control Test Based on new Global Initiative for Asthma Guidelines.

Background: Asthma is a serious global health problem. The lack of a clinical gold standard for evaluation of asthma control, as well as inadequate recognition of uncontrolled asthma by patients and clinicians may contribute to this situation. The Asthma Control Test is an easy and reliable test.

Anthracosis and anthracofibrosis.

Objective: To define the clinical, radiographic, and bronchoscopic features, and to describe the occupations of the largest group of patients with anthracosis.

Methods: All patients who underwent flexible bronchoscopy at 2 Iranian hospitals (Imam Hospital [Tehran], and Tohid Hospital [Sanandaj]), Iran, between April 1982 and June 2006 were considered for inclusion in the study. The demographic data, clinical, and radiographic findings of anthracotic and anthracofibrotic patients were recorded.

Prevalence of asthma and rhinitis in bakery workers in the city of Sanandaj, Iran.

Baker's asthma is one of the most common forms of occupational asthma. This study was conducted to determine prevalence of asthma and rhinitis among bakery workers in the city of Sanandaj, the provincial center of Kurdistan province in the west of Iran in the in Summer 2006. In this study 776 bread bakery workers were included.