Correlation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells with C-reactive protein, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase levels in patients with severe COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a global health emergency, and understanding the interactions between the virus and host immune responses is crucial to preventing its lethal effects. The expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in COVID-19, thereby suppressing immune responses, has been described as responsible for the severity of the disease, but the correlation between MDSC subsets and COVID-19 severity remains elusive. Therefore, we classified patients according to clinical and laboratory findings-aiming to investigate the relationship between MDSC subsets and laboratory findings such as high C-reactive protein, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase levels, which indicate the severity of the disease. Forty-one patients with COVID-19 (26 mild and 15 severe; mean age of 49.7 ± 15 years) and 26 healthy controls were included in this study. MDSCs were grouped into two major subsets-polymorphonuclear MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs) and monocytic MDSCs-by flow cytometric immunophenotyping, and PMN-MDSCs were defined as mature and immature, according to CD16 expressions, for the first time in COVID-19. Total MDSCs, PMN-MDSCs, mature PMN-MDSCs and monocytic MDSCs were significantly higher in patients with COVID-19 compared with the healthy controls (P < .05). Only PMN-MDSCs and their immature PMN-MDSC subsets were higher in the severe subgroup than in the mild subgroup. In addition, a significant correlation was found between C-reactive protein, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase levels and MDSCs in patients with COVID-19. These findings suggest that MDSCs play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, while PMN-MDSCs, especially immature PMN-MDSCs, are associated with the severity of the disease.

Diagnostic value of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and of periostin in eosinophilic asthma: A prospective study.

Background: Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and periostin are reliable biomarkers in eosinophilic asthma. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the use of periostin and TARC as biomarkers in asthma and to compare the superiority of one over the other, especially in asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype. Methods: The study was conducted with 87 patients with asthma and 42 healthy control subjects. Patients with asthma were also divided into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic phenotypes. A pulmonary function test was performed in all the participants, and serum and induced sputum TARC, periostin concentrations, eosinophils, and total immunoglobulin E values were examined. Results: TARC and periostin levels were significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The serum TARC level in the eosinophilic group was significantly higher than in the non-eosinophilic and control groups (p < 0.001). The induced sputum TARC level was significantly higher in the non-eosinophilic group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The TARC and periostin levels of the patients were evaluated by using receiver operator characteristic analysis. The cutoff value for TARC was determined to be 1415.39 ng/L; likewise, the cutoff value for periostin was 107.60 ng/L. The present study detected that serum levels of TARC correlated to serum levels of periostin (r = 0.54; p = 0.032). Furthermore, when evaluating correlations between serum and sputum levels, there was a correlation detected between TARC and periostin in serum, whereas this correlation was stronger in sputum: r = 0.66, p = 0.020; and r = 0.62, p = 0.028, respectively. Conclusion: Serum and sputum TARC and periostin may contribute for monitoring the improvement of patients, particularly those with asthma. Furthermore, TARC was a more reliable biomarker than periostin for patients with eosinophilic asthma.

Evaluation of the relationship between perceived social support, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression symptoms among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between perceived social support, coping strategies, anxiety, and depression symptoms among hospitalized COVID-19 patients by comparing them with a matched control group in terms of age, gender, and education level. METHOD: The patient group (n = 84) and the healthy controls (HCs, n = 92) filled in the questionnaire including the socio-demographic form, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced through the online survey link. RESULTS: The COVID-19 patients had higher perceived social support and coping strategies scores than the HCs. However, anxiety and depression scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. In logistic regression analysis performed in COVID-19 patients, the presence of chest CT finding (OR = 4.31; 95% CI = 1.04-17.95) was a risk factor for anxiety and the use of adaptive coping strategies (OR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.73-0.99) had a negative association with anxiety. In addition, the use of adaptive coping strategies (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.79-0.98) and high perceived social support (OR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.93- 0,99) had a negative association with depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal studies involving the return to normality phase of the COVID-19 pandemic are needed to investigate the effects of factors such as coping strategies and perceived social support that could increase the psychological adjustment and resilience of individuals on anxiety and depression.

Impact of low molecular weight heparin administration on the clinical course of the COVID-19 disease

Background: Lymphopenia is the most important criterion of mortality and discharging feature for patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the clinical impact of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment on the clinical course of COVID-19. Materials and methods: Patients' clinical symptoms, radiologic outcomes, hematologic, biochemical, D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (CRP) results were obtained from their medical records. Participants were separated into 2 groups: one was treated with LMWH and the other was not. Improvement in the patients was compared before and after treatment. Results: Ninety-six patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between April and May 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The multivariable analysis showed that the count of lymphocytes, D-dimer, and CRP levels were significantly improved in the LMWH group, as compared to the control group (OR, (95% CI) 0.628 (0.248­0.965), P < 0.001); OR, (95% CI) 0.356 (0.089­0.674), P < 0.001, respectively). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was AUC: 0.679 ± 0.055, 0.615 ± 0.058, and 0.633 ± 0.057, respectively; the ß-value was found to be ­1.032, ­0.026, and ­0.465, respectively. Conclusion: The LMWH treatment group demonstrated better laboratory findings, including recovery in the lymphocyte count, CRP, and D-dimer results.

Diagnostic value of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and of periostin in eosinophilic asthma: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and periostin are reliable biomarkers in eosinophilicasthma. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to determine the use of periostin and TARC as biomarkers in asthma and to comparethe superiority of one over the other, especially in asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype. METHODS: The study was conducted with 87 patients with asthma and 42 healthy control subjects. Patients with asthma were also divided into eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic phenotypes. A pulmonary function test was performed in all the participants,and serum and induced sputum TARC, periostin concentrations, eosinophils, and total immunoglobulin E valueswere examined. RESULTS: TARC and periostin levels were significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The serum TARC level in the eosinophilic group was significantly higher than in the non-eosinophilic and control groups(p < 0.001). The induced sputum TARC level was significantly higher in the non-eosinophilic group than in the control group(p < 0.001). The TARC and periostin levels of the patients were evaluated by using receiver operator characteristic analysis.The cutoff value for TARC was determined to be 1415.39 ng/L; likewise, the cutoff value for periostin was 107.60 ng/L. Thepresent study detected that serum levels of TARC correlated to serum levels of periostin (r = 0.54; p = 0.032). Furthermore,when evaluating correlations between serum and sputum levels, there was a correlation detected between TARC and periostinin serum, whereas this correlation was stronger in sputum: r = 0.66, p = 0.020; and r = 0.62, p = 0.028, respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum and sputum TARC and periostin may contribute for monitoring the improvement of patients, particularly those with asthma. Furthermore, TARC was a more reliable biomarker than periostin for patients with eosinophilic asthma.

The relationship between the findings of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials and severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

PURPOSE: Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic hypoxic state in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) on brainstem pathways using Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (VEMP) test and to investigate the presence of new markers likely to be correlated with the severity of the disease. METHODS: The study was planned as prospective and double blind. A total of 60 patients (120 ears) diagnosed with mild, moderate and severe OSAS were included in the study and the patients are grouped as 20 patients in each group. Twenty volunteer healthy individuals (40 ears) shown to be without OSAS were included in the study. VEMP measurements were made in 60 study group patients (120 ears) and in 20 healthy controls (40 ears). The groups were compared in terms of variables such as the acquisition rate of oVEMP and cVEMP waves, interval between the waves, latency and amplitude of the waves. p < 0.05 values were considered as significant. RESULTS: The results of cVEMP test showed that the rate of wave acquisition in the moderate and severe OSAS groups was significantly lower than the control group and mild OSAS groups (p = 0.008). There was no difference between the control group and the mild OSAS group in terms of the rate of obtaining the wave (p > 0.05). In the moderate and severe OSAS groups, P1N1 amplitude and N1P2 amplitude values were found to be significantly lower than the mild OSAS group (p = 0.007 and p = 0.017, respectively). In the oVEMP test, there was no significant difference between the mild OSAS group and the control group in terms of the wave yield (p > 0.05); however, it was found that the rate of wave acquisition in the moderate and severe OSAS groups was significantly lower than the mild OSAS group (p = 0.041). There was inverse correlation between the N1P2 interval and P1N1 amplitude value and AHI in simple regression analysis and multiple regression analysis (p = 0.012 and p = 0.021; p = 0.009 and p = 0.040, respectively). CONCLUSION: The negative effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia related with OSAS on the brainstem and vestibular system can be demonstrated by VEMP tests. Especially, the inability to obtain the wave is the most important finding showing this situation. Also, we think that N1P2 interval and P1N1 amplitude markers can be used to detect the subclinical negative effect of chronic hypoxia on vestibular nuclei in the brainstem.

Cognitive function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: relationship to global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease 2011 categories.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Recently, comorbidities such as impaired cognitive function have been attracting more focus when considering the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Here we investigated the relationship between cognitive function and the categories given in the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines in 2011. Specifically, after controlling for non-COPD covariates, we assessed the clinical features that may be predictive of cognitive impairment in patients with COPD. METHODS: We recruited 119 stable patients with mild to very severe COPD. We administered a broad array of standardized neuropsychological tests that assessed cognitive functions in the domains of attention, memory, psychomotor coordination and language. RESULTS: Cognitive scores were significantly different between patients falling within GOLD 2011 categories. Scores were lower in patients with high future risk compared with low future risk. In parallel, there were significant differences in cognitive function between COPD patient subgroups when patients were grouped according to the forced expiratory volume in 1 s, exacerbation history and C-reactive protein levels. After controlling for non-COPD predictors, only exacerbation history remained a significant predictor of cognitive scores. CONCLUSIONS: The number of exacerbation events in a year may be used as a predictor of cognitive impairment in patients with COPD.

Assessment of ocular neurotoxicity in patients treated with systemic cancer chemotherapeutics.

PURPOSE: Cisplatin and Paclitaxel are two chemotherapeutic agents known to produce neurotoxicity when used for cumulative dose regimens. In this study we aim to assess their toxicity in the optic nerve, and to evaluate the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and visual field changes in lung cancer patients treated with Cisplatin and Paclitaxel. METHODS: Fifteen patients who were treated intravenously with 75 mg/m(2) cisplatin and 175 mg/m(2) paclitaxel every 3 weeks, up to a maximum of six courses, were enrolled in this prospective clinical trial. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological assessments before their treatments began, as well as three months after the completion of their treatments. The RNFL thickness measurements were performed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Functional testing included the use of frequency-doubling technology (FDT) perimetry and the Humphrey visual field analyser (HFA). The main outcome measurements included the average RNFL thicknesses and visual field indices (mean deviation [MD] and pattern standard deviation [PSD]). RESULTS: The median age of the 15 patients (nine male and six female) was 63.49 years old (range: 53-77). The average RNFL thickness measurement during the baseline examination was 103.73 µm (range: 97-111). Three months after the cessation of treatment the RNFL thickness declined to 97.4 µm (range: 91-102). Statistical analysis showed a significant thinning between the two measurements (p = 0.032). The MD and PSD values recorded by the HFA demonstrated no statistically significant changes 3 months after the cessation of treatment (p > 0.207 and p > 0.186, respectively). There were statistically significant decreases in both the MD (0.48 to -1.13 dB) and PSD (2.13 to 0.65 dB) indices measured by the FDT perimetry (p = 0.041 and p = 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the systemic administration of Cisplatin and Paclitaxel affected the peripapillary RNFL thicknesses and visual field indices as revealed by FDT perimetry. OCT and FDT perimetry may be adjunctive tools for the screening of ocular toxicity in patients treated with these agents.

Comparison of the efficacy of prednisolone, montelukast, and omalizumab in an experimental allergic rhinitis model.

AIM: To compare the efficacy ofprednisolone, montelukast, and omalizumab in reducing allergic symptoms and inflammation at tissue level in an experimental allergic rhinitis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into 5 groups as naive (NS/NC), sensitized/challenged (S/C) by subcutaneous ovalbumin antigen injection, and montelukast-, prednisolone-, and omalizumab-treated groups. A nasal allergen challenge was performed every day from day 20 to day 26. The number of sneezes and nasal/eye rubbing movements, IL-4 and CysLT levels in serum, nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids determined by ELISA, and histopathological findings of nasal mucosa, sinus, and lung tissues were compared. RESULTS: All of the treatments significantly controlled the allergic symptoms of sneezing and nasal/eye rubbing (P < 0.05). IL-4 and CysLT levels on days 20 and 26 were significantly higher in the S/C group compared to the NS/NC group (P < 0.05). Montelukast significantly decreased serum and nasal IL-4 and CysLT levels (P < 0.05), prednisolone decreased nasal lavage IL-4 and CysLT levels (P < 0.05), and omalizumab lowered nasal lavage CysLT levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prednisolone, montelukast, and omalizumab were found to be effective in controlling the allergic symptoms of allergic rhinitis and upper/lower airway inflammation in an experimental allergic rhinitis model.

Serum C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The basic uses of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in clinical practice are in the diagnosis and follow-up of infectious disease. The fact that CRP already achieves high levels in cases with lung cancer, however, limits its diagnostic specificity. Procalcitonin may be an important marker in the differential diagnosis of lung cancer patients who have fever and high CRP levels. Our objective in this study was to determine the levels of CRP and PCT in patients with newly diagnosed non-infectious non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to relate these results to patient and disease characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum CRP and PCT levels were measured in 79 histopathologically proven NSCLC patients and 20 healthy controls. Results were compared with demographic and clinical variables in patients with NSCLC. RESULTS: Serum CRP concentrations were significantly higher in NSCLC patients compared to the control group [38.30 (7.79-185) mg/dl vs. 7.79 (3.36-26.10) mg/dl; p < 0.001]. There was no significant difference between the two groups in PCT levels (p > 0.05). A mild, positive correlation was found between CRP level and tumor diameter. When comparing CRP levels in the lung cancer patients grouped according to age, sex, smoking status, clinical TNM staging and performance status (PS), the only significant difference found was that for PS score. CONCLUSIONS: High serum CRP levels in non-infectious NSCLC patients are mainly related to PS status and weakly to tumor size. Adding serum PCT measurement may contribute to exclusion of infections in patients with NSCLC.

Phenotyping of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using the modified Bhalla scoring system for high-resolution computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Identifying different phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important for both therapeutic options and clinical outcome of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the phenotypes of COPD according to high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings; and to correlate HRCT scores obtained using the modified Bhalla scoring system with clinical and physiological indicators of systemic inflammation. METHODS: The present study included 80 consecutive patients with stable COPD. HRCT scans were evaluated by two independent radiologists according to the modified Bhalla scoring system. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients exhibited morphological changes on HRCT examination while 26 had no pathological findings. Patients with HRCT findings had lower spirometric measurements and higher levels of inflammation, and reported more exacerbations in the previous year compared with patients with no findings on HRCT. Patients with morphological changes were classified into one of three groups according to their HRCT phenotype(s): emphysema (E) only, E + bronchiectasis (B)/peribronchial thickening (PBT) or B/PBT only. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and the number of exacerbations among the groups were significantly different. Pairwise comparisons between the E only and E+B/PBT groups showed significantly lower FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC values, and higher CRP levels and number of exacerbations compared with the B/PBT group. No significant differences were found between the E+B/PBT and the B/PBT groups. An inverse correlation was found between the total HRCT score and FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC; the correlation was positive with CRP level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and number of exacerbations. CONCLUSION: The present study exposed the intimate relationship between phenotype(s) characterized by HRCT and scoring for morphological abnormalities; and clinical and functional parameters and inflammatory markers. The inclusion of HRCT among routine examinations for COPD may provide significant benefits both in the management and prognosis of COPD patients.

Attentional control is partially impaired in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with executive cognitive impairment. An important question is whether impairment in executive functioning in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is independent of dysfunction in attention. Attentional control is a subcomponent of executive functioning that is mediated by frontal lobe processing. In the current study, we investigated whether attentional control is deficient in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Attentional control processes were investigated through conflict adaptation and conflict frequency paradigms. These neuropsychological paradigms were assessed by using the Simon, Flanker and Stroop tasks. We additionally analysed post-error slowing data within these tasks. Error processing is another index of cognitive control that is mediated by frontal lobe functioning. Our sample consisted of 14 healthy adults and 24 patients with untreated moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Results indicated that attentional control is partially dysfunctional among patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Attentional control processes were deficient when focal attention (Flanker task) processes were involved, but were intact when observed using the Simon and Stroop tasks. A non-significant trend in post-error slowing data suggested that error processing, assessed with the Flanker task, was diminished among patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. These results support the view that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome leads to some amount of frontal lobe dysfunction, and that attentional control and error processing might be particularly affected by obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Flexible bronchoscopy may decrease respiratory muscle strength: premedicational midazolam in focus.

BACKGROUND: Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) is a procedure accepted to be safe in general, with low complication rates reported. On the other hand, it is known that patients with pre-existing respiratory failure have developed hypoventilation following FB. In this study the effects of FB on respiratory muscle strength were investigated by measuring maximum respiratory pressures. METHODS: One hundred and forty patients, aged between 25 and 90 years, who had undergone diagnostic bronchoscopy between February 2012 and May 2012, were recruited to the study. Pre- and post-procedure maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) were measured. A correlation between the MIP and MEP changes and patient characteristics and FB variables were investigated. RESULTS: Significant decreases in both MIP and MEP values were observed following FB (p < 0.001 for both). Decreases were attributed to the midazolam used for sedation. Significant decreases in respiratory muscle strengths were observed especially in the high-dose midazolam group, compared to both low-dose and non-midazolam groups. CONCLUSIONS: It was determined that respiratory muscle weakness may arise post-procedure in patients who have undergone FB, and this is constitutively related to midazolam premedication. Respiratory muscle weakness might play a role in potential hypoventilation in critical patients who undergo FB.

Effects of simvastatin on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in female rats.

Statins reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and have a major place in the treatment of atherosclerotic disease. Recent studies have shown anti-inflammatory properties of statins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of simvastatin on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. A total of 31 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) intratracheal (IT) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) + intraperitoneal (IP) PBS (n=7); (2) IT BLM + IP PBS (n=8); (3) IT BLM + low dose (LD) simvastatin (1 mg/kg daily, n=8); (4) IT BLM + high dose (HD) simvastatin (5 mg/kg daily, n=8). Simvastatin was administered IP for 15 days, beginning 1 day prior to IT BLM. The effect of simvastatin on pulmonary fibrosis was studied by measurements of IL-13, PDGF, IFN-γ, TGF-p1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue hydroxyproline (HPL) content and by histopathological examination (Ashcroft score). BLM caused significant change in BAL fluid cytokine levels and increased both HPL content and histopathological score (p<0.001 for all). While LD simvastatin had no effect on cytokine levels, HD significantly reduced IL-13 (15.12 ±7.08 pg/ml vs. 4.43±2.34 pg/mL; p<0.05) and TGF-ß1 levels (269.25 ±65.42 pg/mL vs. 131.75±32.65 pg/mL; p<0.05). Neither HD nor LD simvastatin attenuated HPL content or Ashcroft score. In conclusion, this study showed that LD simvastatin had no effect on a BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model, while the high dose caused partial improvement in profibrotic cytokine levels.

Effects of simvastatin on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in female rats

Statins reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and have a major place in the treatment of atherosclerotic disease. Recent studies have shown anti-inflammatory properties of statins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of simvastatin on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. A total of 31 female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) intratracheal (IT) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) + intraperitoneal (IP) PBS (n=7); (2) IT BLM + IP PBS (n=8); (3) IT BLM + low dose (LD) simvastatin (1 mg/kg daily, n=8); (4) IT BLM + high dose (HD) simvastatin (5 mg/kg daily, n=8). Simvastatin was administered IP for 15 days, beginning 1 day prior to IT BLM. The effect of simvastatin on pulmonary fibrosis was studied by measurements of IL-13, PDGF, IFN-γ, TGF-p1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue hydroxyproline (HPL) content and by histopathological examination (Ashcroft score). BLM caused significant change in BAL fluid cytokine levels and increased both HPL content and histopathological score (p<0.001 for all). While LD simvastatin had no effect on cytokine levels, HD significantly reduced IL-13 (15.12 ±7.08 pg/ml vs. 4.43±2.34 pg/mL; p<0.05) and TGF-β1 levels (269.25 ±65.42 pg/mL vs. 131.75±32.65 pg/mL; p<0.05). Neither HD nor LD simvastatin attenuated HPL content or Ashcroft score. In conclusion, this study showed that LD simvastatin had no effect on a BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model, while the high dose caused partial improvement in profibrotic cytokine levels.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of sirolimus on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

PURPOSE: Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis. Although the diagnosis and pathophysiology of this disease have been better characterized over the past few years, there is no effective therapy for the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of sirolimus (SRL), which is a potential anti-fibrotic agent, by using bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis model in rats. METHODS: A single intra-tracheal injection of BLM (2.5 U/kg) was administered and sirolimus (2.5 mg/kg/day) was given orally, beginning either one day before (early SRL) or nine days after (late SRL) the BLM administration. The effect of SRL on fibrosis was studied by analysis of cytokine levels in BAL fluid, measurement of lung tissue hydroxyproline (HPL) content and histopathological examination. RESULTS: Both early and late SRL administrations caused a decrease in the levels of IL-13, PDGF-A and TGF-ß1 (p=0.001) and an increase in IFN-γ levels (p=0.001) in BAL fluid. Early and late SRL also caused a decrease in HPL content (p=0.001). Early sirolimus caused a significant decrease in fibrosis score (p=0.001), while late SRL did not. CONCLUSION: Sirolimus was effective in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model, especially in the early phases of the disease.

Pneumothorax as an initial manifestation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

CASE REPORT: A sixty-five-year-old man with bullous lung disease was admitted to emergency service with chest pain and dyspnea that developed during sleep. Pneumothorax was diagnosed both clinically and radiologically. After the chest drainage, the patient presented with a prolonged air leak that required thoracotomy. Further history and occurrence of pneumothorax during sleep suggested that obstructive sleep apnea might play a role in the development of pneumothorax. Nocturnal polysomnography later confirmed the diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. DISCUSSION: We hypothesized that obstructive sleep apnea may be a risk factor for pneumothorax especially in patients with bullous lung disease, and pneumothorax may be listed in the complications of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Respiratory failure caused by giant thymolipoma.

The authors present the case of a 31-year-old woman with a massive anterior mediastinal tumor who presented with respiratory failure. A thoracic computed tomographic scan suggested a mediastinal lipomatous mass, and an operation was performed. Resection of the tumor resulted in immediate improvement in the patient's pulmonary status, and the histopathologic examination revealed thymolipoma. Because thymolipoma can attain enormous dimensions and compress adjacent structures, it should be immediately resected.

Comparison of different dose regimens of enoxaparin in deep vein thrombosis therapy in pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women have a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and consequent thrombogenic events, including pulmonary embolisms. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) products have been shown to successfully treat DVT with few significant side effects. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two dose regimens of enoxaparin (a LMWH) in the management of DVT in pregnancy. METHODS: A total of 35 pregnant patients with DVT were enrolled in this study. As first-line anticoagulation therapy, patients were administered an intravenous unfractionated heparin infusion for 5 days, followed by a subcutaneous injection of enoxaparin 1 mg/kg twice a day until discharge. The enoxaparin therapy continued at home with 1 mg/kg twice a day for 18 patients (group I) and 1.5 mg/kg once a day for the other 17 patients (group II). Enoxaparin was discontinued 12-24 hours before delivery and restarted within 8-12 hours after delivery. Warfarin was given as adjuvant therapy along with enoxaparin in the post-partum period. Enoxaparin was discontinued when an international normalised ratio of 2 or above was reached. Differences between the two groups in terms of therapy response, complications and efficacy were recorded. RESULTS: Thrombophilic disease was observed in three patients in each group. The iliac vein had the highest incidence of DVT in both groups. During therapy, two patients in group I were diagnosed with a mild haemorrhage; one patient (in group II) had abortion. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of recanalisation (measured by venous ultrasonography examination), post-thrombotic symptoms or safety parameters. CONCLUSION: Enoxaparin can be used safely in DVT therapy during pregnancy. Our results indicate that therapy consisting of a single daily dose of 1.5 mg/kg enoxaparin is as effective as twice-daily administration.