Perioperative immunotherapy plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for patients with resectable pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma.

Background: Primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (PLELC) is a rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of perioperative PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in stage II-IIIB PLELC patients.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included stage II-IIIB PLELC patients.

STK11 mutations correlate with poor prognosis for advanced NSCLC treated with first-line immunotherapy or chemo-immunotherapy according to KRAS, TP53, KEAP1, and SMARCA4 status.

Background: The upfront treatment of non-oncogene-addicted NSCLC relies on immunotherapy alone (ICI) or in combination with chemotherapy (CT-ICI). Genomic aberrations such as KRAS, TP53, KEAP1, SMARCA4, or STK11 may impact survival outcomes.

Methods: We performed an observational study of 145 patients treated with first-line IO or CT-ICI for advanced non-squamous (nsq) NSCLC at our institution tested with an extensive lab-developed NGS panel.

Relationships between blood cadmium concentration and risk of nine cancers: evidence from the NHANES 1999-2018 and Mendelian randomization analyses.

Background: Previous observational studies examining the relationship between cadmium exposure and various cancers have yielded conflicting results. This study aims to comprehensively clarify the relationship between blood cadmium concentration (BCC) and nine specific cancers.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2018 identified 36,991 participants.

An update on multiple breath washout in children with cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene, leading to progressive lung disease and systemic complications. Lung disease remains the primary cause of morbidity and mortality, making early detection of lung function decline crucial. The Lung Clearance Index (LCI), derived from the multiple breath washout (MBW) test, has emerged as a sensitive measure for identifying early airway disease.

Comparisons of echocardiographic findings of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units before and after the omicron variant propagation.

Purpose: Few investigational reports have evaluated the status of cardiovascular manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the Omicron dominance period. In this study, we aimed to investigate the cardiac function parameters and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 before and after the Omicron variant (OV) propagation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 88 adult patients with COVID-19 who underwent clinically indicated standard transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in intensive care wards.

A practical guide to the diagnosis and management of suspected Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD) in the United Kingdom.

Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD) is a chronic disease characterised by progressive inflammatory lung damage due to infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Global prevalence of NTM-PD is generally low but is rising, likely due to a combination of increased surveillance, increasing multimorbidity and improved diagnostic techniques. Most disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium complex species.

Identifying subgroups deriving the most benefit from PD-1 checkpoint inhibition plus chemotherapy in advanced metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy has demonstrated an enhancement in progression-free survival (PFS) for individuals with advanced and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) when compared to the use of chemotherapy alone. Nevertheless, the extent to which different subgroups of metastatic TNBC patients experience this benefit remains uncertain.

Objectives: Our objective was to conduct subgroup analyses to more precisely identify the factors influencing these outcomes.

Prognostic value of metabolic tumor volume on [F]FDG PET/CT in addition to the TNM classification system of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: Staging of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is commonly based on [F]FDG PET/CT, in particular to exclude distant metastases and guide local therapy approaches like resection and radiotherapy. Although it is hoped that PET/CT will increase the value of primary staging compared to conventional imaging, it is generally limited to the characterization of TNM. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the PET parameter metabolic tumor volume (MTV) above liver background uptake as a prognostic marker in lung cancer.

Assessing the comparative effects of interventions in COPD: a tutorial on network meta-analysis for clinicians.

To optimize patient outcomes, healthcare decisions should be based on the most up-to-date high-quality evidence. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are vital for demonstrating the efficacy of interventions; however, information on how an intervention compares to already available treatments and/or fits into treatment algorithms is sometimes limited. Although different therapeutic classes are available for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), assessing the relative efficacy of these treatments is challenging.

Outcomes of patients receiving urgent palliative radiotherapy for advanced lung cancer: an observational study.

Background: There is considerable variability in the management of patients with advanced lung cancer referred for palliative radiotherapy owing to uncertainties in prognosis and the benefit of treatment. This study presents the outcomes of patients seen in the Fast Track Lung Clinic, an urgent access palliative radiotherapy clinic, and aims to identify factors associated with treatment response and survival.

Methods: Consecutive patients with advanced lung cancer seen in the Fast Track Lung Clinic between January 2014 and July 2020 were included.

The discrepant effect of blood glucose on the risk of early and late lung injury: a national cohort study.

Background: The association between glycemic control and short-, and long-term lung health remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between glucose control and overall lung health in a national cohort.

Methods: The analysis included 5610 subjects from NHANES 2007-2012.

Safety and efficacy of anatomical tunneling technique for precise lung segment resection in complex anatomical settings.

Background: Thoracoscopic segmentectomy is the main surgical method for the treatment of earlylung cancer. With the promotion of technology and increasingly accurate criteria for lung subsegments, lung nodules with complex positions involving intersegmental and multisegments have become technical bottlenecks. This study aimed to verify whether seeking anatomical conditions for creating a fissure by tunneling techniques with precise resection of lung segments could solve this bottleneck problem.

Chronobiological Patterns and Risk of Acute Aortic Dissection: A Clinical Retrospective and Two-Sample Mendelian Randomisation Study.

Aim: Acute aortic dissection (AAD) represents a cardiovascular ailment characterised by a notable mortality rate. Chronobiological patterns can offer a predictive framework for anticipating the onset of AAD.

Method: Data were gathered from 1,151 patients diagnosed with AAD at Changhai Hospital in Shanghai, China, spanning 2000-2023.

Epigenetic regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypes in atherosclerosis.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in adult arteries maintain substantial phenotypic plasticity, which allows for the reversible cell state changes that enable vascular remodelling and homeostasis. In atherosclerosis, VSMCs dedifferentiate in response to lipid accumulation and inflammation, resulting in loss of their characteristic contractile state. Recent studies showed that individual, pre-existing VSMCs expand clonally and can acquire many different phenotypes in atherosclerotic lesions.

The interplay between lung galectins and pro-fibrotic markers in post-COVID-19 fibrogenesis: A pilot study.

Aims: COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, can lead to serious lung conditions, notably interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

Main Methods: Our study tracked the progression of fibrosis markers in serial bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) measurements collected from 16 COVID-19 patients at 1, 3, and 6 months post-infection. Additionally, BAL samples from 10 healthy control subjects were included.

Prospective evaluation of lung cancer screening eligibility criteria and lung cancer detection in the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial.

Introduction: Low dose CT (LDCT) screening for lung cancer reduces lung cancer mortality, but there is a lack of international consensus regarding the optimal eligibility criteria for screening. The Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial (YLST) was designed to evaluate lung cancer screening (LCS) implementation and a primary objective was prospective evaluation of 3 pre-defined eligibility criteria.

Methods: Individuals who had ever smoked, aged 55-80yrs, who responded to written invitation, underwent telephone risk assessment and if eligible by at least one criteria (PLCO≥1.

Asthma Exacerbation Risk in Pregnancy and Postpartum: Assessing the Impact of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Other Key Factors.

Background: Asthma, affecting approximately 13% of pregnancies worldwide, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), present in about 14%, are both associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. This study aims to address a lack of current knowledge about how GDM affects asthma during pregnancy.

Objective: To determine whether GDM is associated with an increased risk of asthma exacerbations during pregnancy and the first year postpartum.

The PROTAC selectively degrading BCL-X inhibits the growth of tumors and significantly synergizes with Paclitaxel.

B-cell lymphoma extra large (BCL-X) is an important anti-apoptotic protein of BCL-2 family. It is frequently overexpressed in various hematologic and solid tumors, often positively correlated with chemotherapy resistance in tumors. However, the clinical development of the small molecule BCL-X inhibitor ABT-263 has been challenged on account of its on-target and dose-limiting toxicity.

New Frontiers in Asthma Chest Imaging.

Modern pulmonary imaging can reveal underlying pathological and pathophysiological changes in the lungs of people with asthma, with important clinical implications. A multitude of imaging modalities are now used to examine underlying structure/function relationships including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, optical coherence tomography, and endobronchial ultrasound. Imaging-based biomarkers from these techniques, including airway dimensions, blood vessel volumes, mucus scores, ventilation defect extent and air trapping extent, often have increased sensitivity compared to traditional lung function measurements, and are increasingly used as endpoints in clinical trials.

Exploring the effects of lactulose on lung-intestinal tissue-associated factors and the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in COPD rats based on lung-gut axis theory.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic inflammatory disease impacting both the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems, with its pathogenesis closely linked to the lung-gut axis theory. In this study, we established a rat model of COPD using a fumigation method combined with intra-airway administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to investigate the effects of lactulose on lung and intestinal tissues, focusing on related inflammatory markers and the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. We further explored the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of lactulose on the lung-intestinal tissues in COPD rats, aiming to expand its potential application in chronic respiratory diseases.

Airway exposure to lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide particles induces alterations in lung microenvironment and potential kidney and liver damage in mice.

With the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries, the exposure and health effects of lithium nickel manganate cobalt (NMC), a popular cathode material for the battery, have attracted widespread attention. However, the main absorption routes and target organs of NMC are unknown. This study aims to systematically investigate the main absorption routes and target organs of NMC.

Immunomodulatory and anti-ovarian cancer effects of novel astragalus polysaccharide micelles loaded with podophyllotoxin.

Ovarian cancer, a highly lethal form of gynecological cancer globally, has witnessed notable advancements in its treatment through the integration of nanotechnology and immunotherapy. Here, we designed a novel astragalus polysaccharide vector (PDA), encapsulating podophyllotoxin (PPT), and modifying methotrexate (DSPE-PEG-MTX) on its surface for targeting ovarian cancer cells with high folate receptor expression. We prepared novel MTX-modified PPT-loaded astragalus polysaccharide micelles (MTX-PPT-micelles) by dialysis method and evaluated their characterization, stability, safety and targeting ability.

Immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in sub-Saharan Africa and western Europe: a retrospective, population-based, cross-sectional study.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with a higher proportion of asymptomatic infections and lower mortality in sub-Saharan Africa than high-income countries. However, there is currently a lack of data on cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in people living in Africa compared with people in high-income regions of the world. We aimed to assess geographical variation in peripheral and mucosal immune responses.