Transbronchial needle aspiration combined with cryobiopsy in the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases: a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial.

Background: Transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy is a novel sampling technique for mediastinal disease. Despite the possibility of lung cancer misdiagnosis, the improved diagnostic yield of this approach for non-lung-cancer lesions compared with standard endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) highlights its diagnostic potential as a complementary technique to conventional biopsy. We aimed to evaluate the safety profile and added value of the combined use of transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy and standard EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases.

Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Incision and Drainage in the Treatment of Mediastinal Abscess.

Mediastinal abscess, mostly resulting from esophageal perforation or cardiothoracic surgery, is a serious condition carrying high morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic therapy alone normally did not achieve a satisfactory outcome, due to poor circulation of abscess that hampers drug delivery. Surgical intervention for debridement and drainage is recommended, but it poses a high risk in patients with poor health status and could lead to various complications.

Primary Mediastinal Large B-Cell Lymphoma Achieved by Non-Cautery Assisted Transbronchial Mediastinal Cryobiopsy.

Transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy is a novel sampling strategy that shows improved diagnostic utility for mediastinal lesions, particularly in rare tumors and benign disorders, as compared to standard endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. During this procedure, electrocautery incision is frequently needed to advance the cryoprobe through the airway into the mediastinal lesion, which however results in increased operative difficulty and prolonged procedural time. Here we present a case of mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma successfully diagnosed by transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy without cautery-induced airway incision.

Mediastinal Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma Achieved by Endoscopic Transesophageal Cryobiopsy.

Guidelines have recommended endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy as initial sampling approaches of mediastinal lymph nodes for lung cancer staging. However, the small sample volume might restrict the diagnostic utility of needle aspiration in certain mediastinal diseases. We have recently shown that transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy, which is capable of providing larger amounts of intact tissue, improves diagnostic yield in rare tumors and benign diseases compared to EBUS-TBNA.

Transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy in the diagnosis of mediastinal lesions: a randomised trial.

Background: Guidelines recommend endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) as an initial investigatory technique for mediastinal nodal staging in lung cancer. However, EBUS-TBNA can be limited by the inadequacy of intact tissues, which might restrict its diagnostic yield in mediastinal lesions of certain aetiologies. We have previously shown that EBUS-guided transbronchial mediastinal cryobiopsy can provide intact samples with greater volume.

TWIST1 induces phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells by downregulating p68 and microRNA-143/145.

TWIST1 is an important basic helix-loop-helix protein linked to multiple physiological and pathological processes. Although TWIST1 is believed to be involved in vascular pathogenesis, its effects on homeostasis of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) remain poorly understood. Here, we show that TWIST1 protein levels were significantly elevated during SMC phenotypic switching in vivo and in vitro.

Two compounds from Peucedanum dissolutum.

A new compound, 3'(R)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3',4'-dihydroxanthyletin (1), and a known compound, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin (2), were isolated from the roots of Peucedanum dissolutum. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectral evidence and chemical reaction. The NMR signals of carbons and protons of 2 were assigned for the first time by analysis of (1)H-(1)H COSY, HMQC and HMBC spectra.

[Semi-synthesis of derivatives with C-3' and C-4' trans-configuration from (+)-praeruptorin A].

Aim: In order to compare the calcium antagonist activity between the derivatives of (+)-praeruptorin A with C-3' and C-4' cis-configuration and trans-configuration, and to look for new active compounds, some derivatives with C-3', C-4' trans-configuration of (+)-praeruptorin A were semi-synthsized.

Methods: (+)-Praeruptorin A was isolated from the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum. Basic hydrolysis of (+)-praeruptorin A was carried out.

[Studies on structure modification of (+)-praeruptorin A].

Aim: In order to look for new active compounds, the structure of (+)-praeruptorin A is modified.

Methods: (+)-Praeruptorin A was isolated from the root of Peucedanum praeruptorum, basic hydrolysis of (+)-praeruptorin A and acyled reactions of hydrolysis product of (+)-praeruptorin A were carried out.

Results: Eighteen compounds were semi-synthesized from (+)-praeruptorin A.

Cytotoxic diterpenoids from Euphorbia pekinensis.

A new diterpenoid, named euphpekinensin, along with three known diterpenoids, was isolated from the roots of Euphorbia pekinensis for the first time and the structures were elucidated by spectral analysis. The 2D-NMR techniques such as 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC and NOESY spectra were mainly applied to determine the structure of the new diterpenoid. The four diterpenoids showed cytotoxic activity against human KB cells in vitro.