Ischemia-Modified Albumin (IMA) Is Associated with Poor Survival in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): A Pilot Study.

There are increasing efforts to better predict adverse outcomes for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Our aim was to assess the prognostic potential of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), an established circulating marker of ischemia and, more recently, oxidative stress, in a cohort of 56 IPF patients recruited between 2015 and 2023 at the University of Sassari, Italy. Demographic and functional parameters and serum IMA concentrations were measured at baseline.

Air pollution and oxidative stress in adults suffering from airway diseases. Insights from the Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) multi-case control study.

Air pollution is a leading risk factor for global mortality and morbidity. Oxidative stress is a key mechanism underlying air-pollution-mediated health effects, especially in the pathogenesis/exacerbation of airway impairments. However, evidence lacks on subgroups at higher risk of developing more severe outcomes in response to air pollution.

A Systematic Review of the Prognostic Significance of the Body Mass Index in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

The identification of novel prognostic biomarkers might enhance individualized management strategies in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Although several patient characteristics are currently used to predict outcomes, the prognostic significance of the body mass index (BMI), a surrogate measure of excess fat mass, has not been specifically investigated until recently. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to July 2022, for studies investigating associations between the BMI and clinical endpoints in IPF.

Clinical significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in acute exacerbations of COPD: present and future.

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are a leading cause of hospitalisation and death in COPD patients. In addition to the identification of better strategies to prevent AECOPD, there is an intense focus on discovering novel markers of disease severity that enhance risk stratification on hospital admission for the targeted institution of aggressive supportive treatments. In the quest for such biomarkers, an increasing body of evidence suggests that specific indexes derived from routine complete blood counts, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), can significantly predict adverse outcomes in AECOPD.

A Capillary Electrophoresis-Based Method for the Measurement of Hydroxychloroquine and Its Active Metabolite Desethyl Hydroxychloroquine in Whole Blood in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

A capillary electrophoresis method was developed to detect and measure hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its active metabolite desethyl hydroxychloroquine (DHCQ) in whole blood in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The best separation in terms of peak area reproducibility, migration time, peak shape, and resolution of adjacent peaks was obtained in a 60 cm, 75 µm i.d.

Effectiveness of Vitamin D Supplements among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: Results from a Monocentric Matched-Cohort Study.

Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of Vitamin D3 (VitD3) among patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the difference in survival rates between patients receiving and not VitD3. The secondary endpoints were to evaluate clinical outcomes, such as needing non-invasive ventilation (NIV), ICU transfer, and laboratory findings (inflammatory parameters).

A systematic review and meta-analysis of homocysteine concentrations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often suffer from other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, that further increase the risk of adverse outcomes in this group. Serum homocysteine concentrations are positively associated with cardiovascular risk and have also been reported to be increased in COPD. This meta-analysis investigated the association between homocysteine concentrations and COPD.

Paraoxonase-1 Concentrations in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterized by overproduction of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. The antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) may be useful for monitoring the antioxidant defence systems and the effect of treatments in OSA patients. We investigated, by means of systematic review and meta-analysis, the serum concentrations of PON-1 in OSA patients and non-OSA controls.

Role of EBUS-TBNA in Non-Neoplastic Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy: Review of Literature.

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy is a condition in which one or more mediastinal lymph nodes are enlarged for malignant or benign causes, generally more than 10 mm. For a long time, the only way to approach the mediastinum was surgery, while in last decades endoscopic techniques gained their role in neoplastic diseases. At the present time, EBUS is the technique of choice for studying the mediastinum in the suspicion of cancer, while there are not strong indications in guidelines for the study of benign mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

Circulating Superoxide Dismutase Concentrations in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is characterized by a pro-oxidant state that results from the recurrent hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), a key antioxidant enzyme involved in the detoxification of superoxide radicals, could represent a reliable marker to monitor the antioxidant defences in OSA. In order to capture and critically appraise the available evidence, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting SOD concentrations in OSA patients and non-OSA controls in the electronic databases Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar.

Glutathione Peroxidase in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease that is characterized by a state of persistent inflammation and oxidative stress. The presence of oxidative stress in COPD is the result of an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant mechanisms. The aim of this review was to investigate a possible association between glutathione peroxidase (GPx), a key component of antioxidant defense mechanisms, and COPD.

The Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI): A Novel Prognostic Biomarker in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Variable patterns of disease progression are typically observed in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We sought to determine the prognostic capacity of blood cell count indexes, derived from routine complete blood cell (CBC) count, in a cohort of IPF patients. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) were calculated at baseline in a consecutive series of 82 IPF patients followed for four years.

Circulating Malondialdehyde Concentrations in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Meta-Regression.

Oxidative stress induced by nocturnal intermittent hypoxia plays a significant pathophysiological role in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Malondialdehyde (MDA), one of the most commonly investigated markers of lipid peroxidation, might assist with the monitoring of oxidative balance in OSA. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the differences in circulating MDA concentrations between patients with OSA and non-OSA controls.

Durvalumab Plus Tremelimumab in Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Cancer immunotherapy represents one of the most important innovations in modern medicine. Durvalumab is an anti-programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL-1) agent which is currently under investigation in several studies in combination with the anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) drug tremelimumab. The aim of this review was to systematically identify and revise the current scientific literature investigating the combination of these two drugs in solid tumors.

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: A Systematic Review.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive disease characterized by a not fully reversible airflow limitation associated with an abnormal inflammatory response. Exacerbations of COPD are of major importance in the acceleration of disease progression, in healthcare costs, and negatively affect the patient's quality of life. Exacerbations are characterized by a further increase in the airway inflammation likely driven by oxidative stress.

The PaO2/FiO2 ratio on admission is independently associated with prolonged hospitalization in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: The early identification of factors that predict the length of hospital stay (HS) in patients affected by coronavirus desease (COVID-19) might assist therapeutic decisions and patient flow management.

Methodology: We collected, at the time of admission, routine clinical, laboratory, and imaging parameters of hypoxia, lung damage, inflammation, and organ dysfunction in a consecutive series of 50 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Respiratory Disease and Infectious Disease Units of the University Hospital of Sassari (North-Sardinia, Italy) and alive on discharge.

Results: Prolonged HS (PHS, >21 days) patients had significantly lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio and lymphocytes, and significantly higher Chest CT severity score, C-reactive protein (CRP) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) when compared to non-PHS patients.

Methodological Fallacies in the Determination of Serum/Plasma Glutathione Limit Its Translational Potential in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

This study aimed to review and critically appraise the current methodological issues undermining the suitability of the measurement of serum/plasma glutathione, both in the total and reduced form, as a measure of systemic oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fourteen relevant articles published between 2001 and 2020, in 2003 subjects, 1111 COPD patients, and 892 controls, were reviewed. Nine studies, in 902 COPD patients and 660 controls, measured glutathione (GSH) in the reduced form (rGSH), while the remaining five, in 209 COPD patients and 232 controls, measured total GSH (tGSH).

Serum Albumin Concentrations in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition characterized by chronic airway inflammation and lung parenchyma damage. Systemic inflammation and oxidative stress also play a role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Serum albumin is a negative acute-phase protein with antioxidant effects and an important marker of malnutrition.

The Systemic Inflammation Index on Admission Predicts In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.

Background: The rapid onset of a systemic pro-inflammatory state followed by acute respiratory distress syndrome is the leading cause of mortality in patients with COVID-19. We performed a retrospective observational study to explore the capacity of different complete blood cell count (CBC)-derived inflammation indexes to predict in-hospital mortality in this group.

Methods: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR (dNLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume to platelet ratio (MPR), neutrophil to lymphocyte × platelet ratio (NLPR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic inflammation index (SII), and the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) were calculated on hospital admission in 119 patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Blood Glutathione Redox State in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the blood concentrations of the total and reduced forms of the low-molecular-weight antioxidant thiol glutathione (GSH) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in comparison to healthy individuals. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases from inception until June 2020. In the 18 studies identified (involving a total of 974 COPD patients and 631 healthy controls), the pooled reduced GSH concentrations were significantly lower in patients with COPD than controls (SMD  =  -3.

Effects of Pirfenidone and Nintedanib on Markers of Systemic Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Preliminary Report.

Introduction: In vitro evidence suggests that pirfenidone and nintedanib, approved agents for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. We aimed to investigate such effects in vivo in IPF patients.

Methods: Systemic circulating markers of oxidative stress [nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), thiobarbituric acid- reactive substances (TBARS), homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and ADMA/Arginine ratio, glutathione (GSH), plasma protein -SH (PSH), and taurine (Tau)] and inflammation [Kynurenine (Kyn), Tryptophan (Trp) and Kyn/Trp ratio] were measured at baseline and after 24-week treatment in 18 IPF patients (10 treated with pirfenidone and 8 with nintedanib) and in 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

The De Ritis ratio as prognostic biomarker of in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Increased concentrations of serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) are common in COVID-19 patients. However, their capacity to predict mortality, particularly the AST/ALT ratio, commonly referred to as the De Ritis ratio, is unknown. We investigated the association between the De Ritis ratio on admission and in-hospital mortality in 105 consecutive patients with coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to three COVID-19 referral centres in Sardinia, Italy.

Blood Cell Count Derived Inflammation Indexes in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Purpose: Inflammation and immunity play a pivotal but yet unclear role in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic disorder characterized by progressive damage of lung parenchyma and severe loss of lung function despite optimal treatment. However, the pathophysiological and predictive role of combined blood cell count indexes of inflammation in IPF is uncertain.

Methods: Seventy-three patients with IPF and 62 healthy subjects matched for age, gender and smoking status were included in this cross-sectional study.

Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Chronic Airway Diseases.

Introduction: The global burden of chronic airway diseases represents an important public health concern. The role of oxidative stress and inflammation in the pathogenesis of these diseases is well known. The aim of this study is to evaluate the behavior of both inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with chronic bronchitis, current asthma and past asthma in the frame of a population-based study.

Systemic transsulfuration pathway thiol concentrations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Background: It is amply reported that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent evidence suggests that COPD patients have elevated concentrations of plasma homocysteine (Hcy), a transsulfuration pathway analyte that is commonly regarded as a CVD risk factor.

Design: We comprehensively investigated the plasma concentrations of transsulfuration pathway analytes, and their relationship with markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, to identify which low molecular thiols might play a pathophysiological role both in CVD and in COPD.