Pathophysiology of small airways in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF): the silent zone.

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterized by distorted alveolar structure and reduced lung compliance, and impaired ventilation-perfusion. Small airway disease (SAD) is  often termed a 'quietzone' due to its asymptomatic nature. Around 30-40% of IPF patients exhibit SAD, which is associated with worse prognosis, higher fibrosis and emphysema scores, and elevated mortality risk.

Pathology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with particular focus on vascular endothelium and epithelial injury and their therapeutic potential.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains a challenging disease with no drugs available to change the trajectory. It is a condition associated with excessive and highly progressive scarring of the lungs with remodelling and extracellular matrix deposition. It is a highly "destructive" disease of the lungs.

Multi-Center Fetal Brain Tissue Annotation (FeTA) Challenge 2022 Results.

Segmentation is a critical step in analyzing the developing human fetal brain. There have been vast improvements in automatic segmentation methods in the past several years, and the Fetal Brain Tissue Annotation (FeTA) Challenge 2021 helped to establish an excellent standard of fetal brain segmentation. However, FeTA 2021 was a single center study, limiting real-world clinical applicability and acceptance.

Tobacco and COPD: presenting the World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco Knowledge Summary.

The WHO recently published a Tobacco Knowledge Summary (TKS) synthesizing current evidence on tobacco and COPD, aiming to raise awareness among a broad audience of health care professionals. Furthermore, it can be used as an advocacy tool in the fight for tobacco control and prevention of tobacco-related disease. This article builds on the evidence presented in the TKS, with a greater level of detail intended for a lung-specialist audience.

TGFβ1, SMAD and β-catenin in pulmonary arteries of smokers, patients with small airway disease and COPD: potential drivers of EndMT.

We previously reported pulmonary arterial remodelling and active endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in smokers and patients with early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the role of different drivers of EndMT. Immunohistochemical staining for EndMT drivers, TGF-β1, pSMAD-2/3, SMAD-7, and β-catenin, was performed on lung resections from 46 subjects.

Large airway wall vascularity in patients with asthma-COPD overlap: a bronchoscopy study.

https://bit.ly/49DeoFX.

Exo I-based cyclic digestion coupled with synergistic enhancement strategy for integrating dual-mode optical aptasensor platform.

The improvement of dual-mode techniques was of particular interest to researchers, which might enhance the detection performance and applicability. Here, a dual-mode optical aptasensor (DO-aptasensor) platform based on exonuclease I (Exo I) cyclic digestion and synergistic enhancement strategy had proposed for zearalenone (ZEN). Following the preparation of dumbbell-shaped signal probe, the Exo I-based cyclic digestion amplification performed, and then the synergistic enhancement effect carried out to achieve the Poly-HRP-based colorimetry and FAM-SGI-based fluorescence.

Platelet Activating Factor Receptor and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression Increases in the Small Airway Epithelium and Parenchyma of Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Implications for Microbial Pathogenesis.

: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an irreversible lung fibrotic disorder of unknown cause. It has been reported that bacterial and viral co-infections exacerbate disease pathogenesis. These pathogens use adhesion molecules such as platelet activating factor receptor (PAFR) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) to gain cellular entry, causing infections.

Optimum programmed intermittent epidural bolus interval time of ropivacaine 0.0625% with dexmedetomidine 0.4 μg/ml at a fixed volume of 10 mL: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The aim of our study was to administer adequate local anesthetic in programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) to avoid breakthrough pain and decrease the use of manual and PCEA boluses. We, therefore, conducted this study to determine the effective PIEB interval time between boluses of ropivacaine 0.0625% with dexmedetomidine 0.

Differential expression of mast cells in the small airways and alveolar septa of current smokers and patients with small airway disease and COPD.

Background: COPD patients suffer from dysregulated and suppressed immune functionality, determined by their loss of degranulating capacity. Here we provide crucial information on the presence of degranulated mast cells (MCs) in COPD airways and demonstrate their relationship to lung physiology and airway remodelling.

Methods: Small airway lung resections from non-smoking controls (NC), normal lung function smokers (NLFS), small airway disease (SAD), and mild-to-moderate COPD current smokers (COPD-CS) and ex-smokers (COPD-ES) were dual immuno-stained with MC tryptase and degranulation marker lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP)-1.

TGF-β1, pSmad-2/3, Smad-7, and β-Catenin Are Augmented in the Pulmonary Arteries from Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): Role in Driving Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EndMT).

We have previously reported that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is an active process in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) contributing to arterial remodelling. Here, we aim to quantify drivers of EndMT in IPF patients compared to normal controls (NCs). Lung resections from thirteen IPF patients and eleven NCs were immunohistochemically stained for EndMT drivers, including TGF-β1, pSmad-2/3, Smad-7, and β-catenin.

Endothelial to mesenchymal transition is an active process in smokers and patients with early COPD contributing to pulmonary arterial pathology.

Background: We have previously reported pulmonary arterial remodelling in smokers and patients with early COPD, which can be attributed to endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT). In this study, we aimed to evaluate if EndMT is an active mechanism in smokers and COPD.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for the EndMT biomarkers CD31, N-cadherin, vimentin and S100A4 was done on lung resection tissue from 49 subjects.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition changes in nonsmall cell lung cancer patients with early COPD.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) might be central to lung cancer development in smokers and COPD. We illustrate EMT changes in a broader demographic of patient groups who were diagnosed with nonsmall cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma). These included COPD current and ex-smokers, patients with small airway disease and normal lung function smokers compared to normal controls.

Airway inflammatory changes in the lungs of patients with asthma-COPD overlap (ACO): a bronchoscopy endobronchial biopsy study.

Background: Although asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two distinct chronic airway inflammatory diseases, they often co-exist in a patient and the condition is referred to as asthma-COPD overlap (ACO). Lack of evidence regarding the inflammatory cells in ACO airways has led to their poor prognosis and treatment. The objective of this endobronchial biopsy (EBB) study was to enumerate inflammatory cellular changes in the airway wall of ACO compared with asthma, COPD current smokers (CS) and ex-smokers (ES), normal lung function smokers (NLFS), and non-smoker controls (HC).

Transforming growth factor-β1 and SMAD signalling pathway in the small airways of smokers and patients with COPD: potential role in driving fibrotic type-2 epithelial mesenchymal transition.

Background: COPD is a common disease characterized by respiratory airflow obstruction. TGF-β1 and SMAD pathway is believed to play a role in COPD pathogenesis by driving epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Methods: We investigated TGF-β1 signalling and pSmad2/3 and Smad7 activity in resected small airway tissue from patients with; normal lung function and a smoking history (NLFS), current smokers and ex-smokers with COPD GOLD stage 1 and 2 (COPD-CS and COPD-ES) and compared these with normal non-smoking controls (NC).

Plasmonic colorimetric immunosensor based on Poly-HRP and AuNS etching for tri-modal readout of small molecule.

It was urgent to improve the intuitive, portable, sensitive and multi-modal detection method for small molecules. In this study, a tri-modal readout of plasmonic colorimetric immunosensor (PCIS) for small molecule (zearalenone, ZEN, as an example) had been established based on the Poly-HRP amplification and gold nanostars (AuNS) etching. The immobilized Poly-HRP from the competitive immunoassay was used to catalyze iodide (I) into iodine (I), which could prevent the AuNS etching by I.

Systemic alterations in neutrophils and their precursors in early-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Systemic inflammation is established as part of late-stage severe lung disease, but molecular, functional, and phenotypic changes in peripheral immune cells in early disease stages remain ill defined. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major respiratory disease characterized by small-airway inflammation, emphysema, and severe breathing difficulties. Using single-cell analyses we demonstrate that blood neutrophils are already increased in early-stage COPD, and changes in molecular and functional neutrophil states correlate with lung function decline.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: a precursor to pulmonary arterial remodelling in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: We have previously reported arterial remodelling in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and suggested that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) might be central to these changes. This study aims to provide evidence for active EndMT in IPF patients.

Methods: Lung resections from 13 patients with IPF and 15 normal controls (NCs) were immunostained for EndMT biomarkers: vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), neural cadherin (N-cadherin), S100A4 and vimentin.

Arterial remodelling in smokers and in patients with small airway disease and COPD: implications for lung physiology and early origins of pulmonary hypertension.

Introduction: Pulmonary vascular remodelling in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has detrimental consequences for lung physiology. The aim of our study was to provide a comprehensive size-based morphometric quantification of pulmonary arterial remodelling in smokers and in patients with small airway disease (SAD) or COPD.

Method: Movat's pentachrome staining was performed on lung resections for 46 subjects: 12 never-smoker normal controls (NC), six normal lung function smokers (NLFS), nine patients with SAD, nine patients with mild-to-moderate COPD who were current smokers (COPD-CS) and 10 patients with mild-to-moderate COPD who were ex-smokers (COPD-ES).

Differential airway remodeling changes were observed in patients with asthma COPD overlap compared to patients with asthma and COPD alone.

Management of patients with asthma COPD overlap (ACO) is clinically challenging due to insufficient evidence of pathological changes in these patients. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated airway remodeling in endobronchial biopsies from a total of 90 subjects, which included 12 ACO, 14 patients with asthma, 12 COPD exsmokers (ES), 11 current smokers (CS), 28 healthy controls (HC), and 13 normal lung function smokers (NLFS). Tissue was stained with Masson's trichrome.

An enhanced immunochromatography assay based on gold growth on the surface of E. coli carrier for the simultaneous detection of mycotoxins.

It is desired and urgently needed to improve the sensitivity of immunochromatography assay (ICA) for hazardous chemicals. In this work, an enhanced ICA strip was established and evaluated for simultaneous, semi-quantitative and quantitative detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B (AFB). The signal strategy based on gold growth on the surface of the E.

Ascendancy of unfolded protein response over glioblastoma: estimating progression, prognosis and survival.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is presented with a poor prognosis. The endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) has been implicated as a major contributor to disease progression and chemoresistance in GBM. Triggering ERS by chemical agents or genetic modulations is identified as some of the reasons for regulating gene expression and the pathogenesis of GBM.

Can metagenomics unravel the impact of oral bacteriome in human diseases?

Oral microbial ecosystems are vital in maintaining the health of the oral cavity and the entire body. Oral microbiota is associated with the progression of oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, head and neck cancer, and several systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, adverse pregnancy outcomes, diabetes, lung infection, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Buccal mucosa, tongue dorsum, hard palate, saliva, palatine tonsils, throat, keratinized gingiva, supra-gingival plaque, subgingival plaque, dentures, and lips are microbial habitats of the oral cavity.

Adverse roles of mast cell chymase-1 in COPD.

Background: COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Cigarette smoke (CS)-induced chronic inflammation inducing airway remodelling, emphysema and impaired lung function is the primary cause. Effective therapies are urgently needed.