The mast cell - neurofibromatosis connection.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder affecting 1/3000 individuals worldwide. It results from germline mutations of the neurofibromin gene and it is fully penetrant by the age of 5. Neurofibromin is a 2818 amino acid protein that is produced in many cell types, but its levels are especially high in the nervous system.

Association between TLR2/TLR4 gene polymorphisms and COPD phenotype in a Greek cohort.

BACKGROUND: Considering that the innate immune system plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we hypothesized that functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of innate immune genes affect the disease phenotype and prognosis. AIM: To elucidate the contribution of common functional TLR2 and TLR4 SNPs and genotypic deficiency of the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) protein, both as single parameters and in combination, in Greek COPD patients. RESULTS: In a cohort of 114 Greek COPD patients, we confirmed that the presence of TLR4-D299G or TLR4-T399I SNPs was significantly associated with an earlier COPD stage (p = 0.003 and p = 0.009, respectively). In comparison, the absence of any analyzed polymorphism, including those of TLR2-R753Q and genotypic MBL deficiency, was significantly associated with a more severe disease phenotype, characterized by more frequent exacerbations (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the notion that the presence of innate immune SNPs, such as functional polymorphisms of TLRs along with MBL deficiency, might exert a protective effect on the COPD phenotype, similar with other immune-mediated disorders.

Prognostic role of simple inflammatory biomarkers in patients with severe COVID-19: an observational study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Simple inflammatory biomarkers, such as neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), could serve as prognosis indicators in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The utility of on-admission inflammatory biomarkers in predicting outcomes was investigated in patients suffering from severe COVID-19 infection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to assess the role of white blood count (WBC), neutrophils (N), lymphocyte (L), platelets (PLTs), C-reactive protein (CRP), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), NLR (N/L), PLR (P/L), dv (derived variation of)-NLR (N/WBC-L), LNR (L/N), dv (derived variation of)-LNR (L/WBC-N), and CLR (CRP/L), in predicting the need for high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) use, admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and death in adult patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine from April to September 2021. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients (60 % males) with a mean age of 57.7 ± 16.3 years were included. Thirty-seven patients (32.2 %) required escalation with HFNC, eight patients (7 %) were admitted to the ICU, and nine patients (7.8%) died. Based on univariate analysis, CRP [odds ratio (OR): 1.25, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.1-1.42), LNR (OR: 0.015, 95 % CI: 0.00-0.35), dv-NLR (OR: 5*106, 95 % CI: 26.7-9*109), CLR (OR: 7*1058, 95 % CI: 3*1025-2*1092), length of hospitalization (LOH; OR: 1.44, 95 % CI: 1.22-1.63), dyspnea at presentation (OR: 2.83, 95 % CI: 1.23-6.52), and ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) on admission (OR: 0.967, 95 % CI: 0.952-0.983) were independent predictors for oxygen requirements. However, the multivariate analysis showed that LNR (OR: 1.686e0-4, 95 % CI: 6.441e00-8-0.441), PaO2/FiO2 on admission (OR: 0.965, 95 % CI: 0.941-0.989), and LOH (OR: 1.717, 95 % CI: 1.274-2.314) were the most important predictor for HFNC use. Nasal congestion at presentation (OR: 11.5, 95 % CI: 1.61-82.8) was a unique and independent predictor for ICU admission. As far as death is concerned, the univariate analysis identified elevated CRP (OR: 1.11, 95 % CI: 1.0-1.24), low RT-PCR (OR: 0.829, 95 % CI: 0.688-0.999), high CLR (OR: 3.2*1033, 95 % CI: 5.8-1.8*1066), age (OR: 1.08, 95 % CI: 1.02-1.14), body mass index (BMI) over 30 (OR: 5.25, 95 % CI: 1.26-21.96), the chronic use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (OR: 5.72, 95 % CI: 1.35-24.09), nitrates (OR: 14.85, 95 % CI: 1.81-121.8), diuretics (OR: 8.21, 95 % CI: 1.97-34.32), PaO2/FiO2 on admission (OR: 0.983, 95 % CI: 0.970-0.998), and nasal congestion at presentation (OR: 9.81, 95 % CI: 1.40-68.68) as independent predictors. However, the multivariate analysis pinpointed that obesity (BMI >30) (OR: 10.498, 95 % CI: 1.107-99.572) remained the most important predictor for death. CONCLUSION: LNR and PaO2/FiO2 on admission could be used to timely identify patients requiring HFNC during hospitalization, while obesity (BMI >30) could be an independent predictor of death. Nasal congestion emerges as a unique predictor for ICU admission. HIPPOKRATIA 2022, 26 (2):70-77.

Evidence for non genomic action of 17ß estradiol on transepithelial resistance of human fetal membranes.

BACKGROUND: The role of hormones in the transport mechanisms of human fetal membranes in pregnancy is unclear. Estrogens are essential hormones in pregnancy and they play an important role in the ion transport via membranes. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 17ß-estradiol on transepithelial electrical resistance in the human amniochorion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Specimens of human fetal membranes were obtained. 17ß-estradiol, tamoxifen and their combination were added in an Ussing chamber. Transepithelial resistance was measured before and after the addition of each solution. RESULTS: An increase in transepithelial resistance was seen after the addition of estradiol to both sides of the membranes. The effect was rapid with a peak at the 1st min of application and dose-depended. Tamoxifen, caused a similar effect but smaller in magnitude and shorter in duration. Tamoxifen in combination with estradiol inhibited only in part the action of estradiol. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that estradiol induces a rapid increase of transepithelial resistance in human fetal membranes in vitro via a non-genomic pathway. It is possible those changes in transepithelial resistance play a role in the control of permeability of human amniochorion.

Hyaluronic acid levels are increased in complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a component of extracellular matrix and may play a role in the pleural inflammation which is implicated in parapneumonic effusions.The aim of the current study was to investigate HA levels in serum and pleura in patients with parapneumonic effusions. METHODS: We prospectively studied pleural and serum levels of HA in 58 patients with pleural effusions due to infection (complicated and uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions), malignant effusions and transudative effusions due to congestive heart failure. In addition to HA, TNF-alpha and IL-beta levels were determined in pleural fluid and serum by ELISA. RESULTS: The median +/- SD HA levels (pg/ml) in pleural fluid of patients with complicated effusions (39.058 +/- 11.208) were significantly increased (p < 0.005), compared to those with uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (11.230 +/- 1.969), malignant effusions (10.837 +/- 4.803) or congestive heart failure (5.392 +/- 3.133). There was no correlation between pleural fluid and serum HA values. Pleural fluid TNF-alpha levels (146 +/- 127 pg/mL) and IL-1beta levels (133.4 +/- 156 pg/mL) were significantly higher in patients with complicated parapneumonic effusions compared to patients with other types of effusion (p < 0.05). No significant association between HA and TNF-alpha or IL-1beta was found. CONCLUSIONS. HA may play a significant role in the inflammatory process which characterises exudative infectious pleuritis. Further investigation might reveal whether HA is a useful marker in the management of parapneumonic effusions.

Impact of dietary shift to higher-antioxidant foods in COPD: a randomised trial.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by increased oxidative stress. Dietary factors, such as ample consumption of foods rich in antioxidants, such as fruit and vegetables, might have beneficial effects in COPD patients. The association between dietary shift to foods rich in antioxidants and lung function in COPD was investigated in a 3-yr prospective study. A total of 120 COPD patients were randomised to follow either a diet based on increased consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables (intervention group (IG)) or a free diet (control group (CG)). The mean consumption of foods containing antioxidants was higher in the IG than in the CG throughout the study period (p<0.05). The relationship between consumption of foods rich in antioxidants and percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s was assessed using a general linear model for repeated measures; the two groups overall were different in time (p = 0.03), with the IG showing a better outcome. In investigating the effect of several confounders (sex, age, smoking status, comorbid conditions and exacerbation) of group response over time, nonsignificant interactions were found between confounders, group and time. These findings suggest that a dietary shift to higher-antioxidant food intake may be associated with improvement in lung function, and, in this respect, dietary interventions might be considered in COPD management.

The acute effect of smoking in healthy and asthmatic smokers.

BACKGROUND: Acute exposure to cigarette smoke is related to airway and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Little is known about the acute effect of cigarette smoking in smoking asthmatics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effect of smoking in airway and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in normal smokers and patients with properly treated well-controlled persistent asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten normal smokers and 10 smokers with moderate persistent asthma controlled with LABA and ICS were recruited. Subjects refrained from smoking for at least 12 h prior to their inclusion. We compared the effects of smoking of two cigarettes on airway obstruction, airway inflammation and oxidative stress [by measuring fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), plus pH and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC)] before and 30, 90 and 180 min after smoking. Furthermore, we evaluated systemic oxidative stress, C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) and urine leukotriene E(4) (LTE(4)) before and 180 min after smoking. RESULTS: No differences were observed in EBC pH and 8-isoprostane, FeNO and systemic oxidative stress between the groups at baseline. In asthmatics, EBC pH decreased 30 min and EBC 8-isoprostane increased 90 min after smoking (P = 0.039 and P = 0.029 respectively), which was not evident in smoking controls. Serum oxidative stress increased only in asthmatic smokers at 180 min (P = 0.001). No differences were observed in SAA, CRP and urine LTE(4) levels before and after smoking. CONCLUSION: Acute smoking has more deleterious effects in well-controlled properly treated asthmatic smokers compared with matched normal smokers.

Permeability alterations after surgical trauma in normal rabbit peritoneum.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether surgical trauma in a rabbit adhesion formation model and the administration of normal saline (N/S), icodextrin (ID) and/or dimetindene maleate (DM) changes the permeability of the normal rabbit parietal peritoneum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 female rabbits were operated on for adhesion formation and were euthanized 10 days later. In some rabbits, ID or N/S was instilled intraabdominally during operation, whereas in others DM was infused intravenously. In others, ID plus DM or no agent was used. Specimens were obtained postoperatively and were mounted between Ussing chambers. Amiloride was used to investigate Na(+) channels. Transmesothelial resistance (R(TM)) was determined as a permeability indicator. RESULTS: Amiloride increased the R(TM) of both surfaces. Surgical trauma increased R(TM) and partially inhibited the effect of amiloride. ID and N/S increased R(TM) and inhibited the effect of amiloride. Use of DM did not change R(TM) and did not inhibit the effect of amiloride. Use of ID plus DM slightly increased R(TM), but the effect of amiloride was blocked. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical trauma impairs the permeability of the normal rabbit parietal peritoneum. ID or N/S surmounted this effect, but DM did not, suggesting that surgical trauma is a diffuse process. Antiadhesion measures influence peritoneal physiology.

Data on expectations, perceived quality, satisfaction with hospital care and financial ability of patients who suffer from acute and chronic respiratory diseases, in Central Greece.

The research article presents the data collected from a questionnaire based survey that aimed to evaluate patients' expectations, perceived quality, satisfaction with hospital care and financial ability of 202 hospitalized patients suffering from acute or chronic respiratory diseases. The anonymous and self-completed questionnaire was divided in two parts. The first part included questions to elicit information on social and demographic characteristics (gender, age group, education level, categorization of respiratory disease, evaluation of the current hospitalization, nationality and way of living with). The second part included the 26-items Elderly Patient Satisfaction Scale and the 12-items Financial Ability Scale, which are validated in the Greek language with a high internal consistency. Data were collected from February 2016 to December 2018.

Azithromycin has an antiproliferative and autophagic effect on airway smooth muscle cells.

Azithromycin is used in long-term, low-dose treatment of airway diseases where airway wall remodelling is present. Since it improves total score symptom and respiratory function of such patients, we hypothesise that azithromycin's additional clinical benefits are due to an inhibition of airway smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. Rabbit tracheal SMCs were treated with azithromycin (10(-5) to 10(-6) M) in the presence or absence of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The proliferation was estimated using the Cell Titer 96(R) AQ(ueous) One Solution Assay (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). Cell viability was assessed with Trypan blue staining and flow cytometry after 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) staining. Induction of autophagy was studied by indirect immmunofluorescence and/or Western blotting with antibodies against human smooth muscle alpha-actin, beclin 1, light chain 3 and caspase 3. The involvement of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway was investigated with the inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin. Incubation with azithromycin for 72 h in the presence of FBS reduced SMC proliferation and viability in a dose-dependent manner. Azithromycin treatment was accompanied by the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles, characteristic of autophagy. All these effects were reversible after azithromycin removal and prevented by the autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine, or LY294002, but not by wortmannin. In conclusion, azithromycin reduces proliferation and causes autophagy of airway SMCs.

Inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in allergic rhinitis: the effect of smoking.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence confirms the presence of pan-airway inflammation in allergic rhinitis patients. Smoking is known to affect the asthmatic airway inflammation. However, no study has evaluated the impact of smoking on airway inflammation of allergic rhinitis patients. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of smoking on inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, using non-invasive methods for sample collection. METHODS: Forty patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (20 smokers and 20 non-smokers) and 30 healthy subjects (15 smokers and 15 non-smokers) were recruited for the study during pollen season. All subjects were submitted to measurement of the fraction of exhaled NO (FeNO), exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collection, nasal lavage collection, pre- and post- bronchodilation spirometry and metacholine bronchial challenge testing. pH, leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and 8-isoprostane were determined in EBC and nasal lavage samples. RESULTS: Patients with allergic rhinitis presented higher LTB(4) and 8-isoprostane levels in nasal lavage (P<0.0001 for both comparisons), with no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers. Patients with allergic rhinitis also presented higher LTB(4) levels and lower pH in EBC (P<0.001 and P=0.004, respectively), with prominent differences between smokers and non-smokers (P<0.0001 and P=0.003, for LTB(4) and pH, respectively). A significant correlation between nasal lavage and EBC LTB(4) values was observed (r(s)=0.313, P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with allergic rhinitis present increased LTB(4) and 8-isoprostane in their nasal cavity, however, with no significant differences between smokers and non-smokers. In contrast, smokers with allergic rhinitis present higher LTB(4) levels and lower pH in EBC, suggesting that these patients may be more susceptible to the deleterious effects of smoking, compared with non-smokers.

Mesothelioma mortality in Greece from 1983 to 2003.

OBJECTIVE: To present summary statistics of the Greek mesothelioma epidemic including summaries by occupation and geographical area. METHODS: The National Statistics Service provides our data, which contain all deaths from 1983 to 2003 where mesothelioma was mentioned on the death certificate. RESULTS: The annual number of mesothelioma deaths has increased from 9 in the 3-year period of time 1983-1985 to 53 in 2001-2003. Current deaths in males account for about 72% of the cases. The area of Epirus in Greece has the highest cause-specific mortality rate over the period 1983-2003. The occupational group which is related to the higher number of mesothelioma deaths was clerks and those occupied in business; following farmers, workers-technicians and drivers. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a change in the balance of risk away from traditional asbestos exposure industries to industries where one could describe the exposure as secondary such as plumbers, technicians, drivers, farmers. Also, we found out that the higher cause-specific mortality rate was 0.38/100,000 population in Epirus, the lower was 0.025/100,000 in Thessalia and the national average rate was 0.10/100,000 population.

Exhaled breath condensate in patients with asthma: implications for application in clinical practice.

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analysis, a rather appealing and promising method, can be used to evaluate conveniently and non-invasively a wide range of molecules from the respiratory tract, and to understand better the pathways propagating airway inflammation. A large number of mediators of inflammation, including adenosine, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, isoprostanes, leukotrienes, prostanoids, nitrogen oxides, peptides and cytokines, have been studied in EBC. Concentrations of such mediators have been shown to be related to the underlying asthma and its severity and to be modulated by therapeutic interventions. Despite the encouraging positive results to date, the introduction of EBC in everyday clinical practice requires the resolution of some methodological pitfalls, the standardization of EBC collection and finally the identification of a reliable biomarker that is reproducible has normal values and provides information regarding the underlying inflammatory process and the response to treatment. So far, none of the parameters studied in EBC fulfils the aforementioned requirements with one possible exception: pH. EBC pH is reproducible, has normal values, reflects a significant part of asthma pathophysiology and is measurable on-site with standardized methodology although some methodological aspects of measurement of pH in EBC (e.g. the effect of ambient CO(2), sample de-aeration, time for pH measurement) require further research. However, EBC pH has not been evaluated prospectively as a guide for treatment, in a manner similar to exhaled NO and sputum eosinophils. EBC represents a simple and totally non-invasive procedure that may contribute towards our understanding of asthma pathophysiology. Besides the evaluation of new biomarkers, the standardization of the already existing procedures is warranted for the introduction of EBC in clinical practice.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor is related to systemic oxidative stress in patients with lung cancer.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to play crucial role in tumour angiogenesis. It is demonstrated that VEGF can be up-regulated by oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine the serum VEGF levels and oxidative stress in patients with primary lung cancer and to investigate their association with clinicopathologic factors. We measured serum VEGF levels and oxidative stress in 63 patients (age 63.02+/-1.12 S.E.M.) with primary lung cancer before any treatment (39 NSCLC and 24 SCLC; 6 patients stage I, 3 stage II, 25 stage III and 29 stage IV) and 25 normal subjects. The serum VEGF levels were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Serum oxidative stress levels were detected by a commercially available assay (D-ROMs test, Diacron, Grossetto, Italy). The levels of oxidative stress in patients were higher than those in normal subjects (555.3+/-30.35 UCarr vs. 360.1+/-17.46 UCarr). Additionally, a significant difference was found in serum VEGF levels between lung cancer patients and healthy control subjects (428.1+/-38.42pg/ml vs. 298.8+/-19.89pg/ml, respectively, p=0.040). Interestingly, serum oxidative stress presented a significant correlation with serum VEGF levels in patients with lung cancer (r=0.542, p=0.002). Serum VEGF levels were significantly associated with the clinical staging (N-stage) of the patients (p=0.023), performance status (p=0.004) and age (p=0.004). In conclusion, oxidative stress and VEGF are significantly increased in patients with primary lung cancer. The correlation between them might implicate new aspects of the mechanisms controlling tumour angiogenesis and may present clinical interest in the future. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the role of oxidative stress and VEGF as possible biomarkers for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with lung cancer.

Epidemiology and clinical significance of mycobacterial respiratory infections in Central Greece.

SETTING: A 750-bed tertiary referral hospital in Central Greece. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) respiratory infection based on the isolation of NTM in respiratory specimens, to study their clinical significance and to evaluate the differences in clinical, radiological and demographic characteristics between patients with lung disease caused by NTM and that caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC). DESIGN: A 3-year period prospective study to identify patients with positive NTM and MTC respiratory specimens. RESULTS: Between January 2004 and December 2006, 564 positive NTM cultures from 214 patients and 118 MTC cultures from the same number of patients were collected. The incidence rate of clinically significant NTM lung infection was 0.67, 0.54 and 0.94 cases per 100,000 population, and that of MTC infection of the lung was respectively 5.70, 5.28 and 5.10 cases/100,000 in the three study years. Smoking habits and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were significant risk factors for NTM disease (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: NTM incidence rates were lower than those reported in the rest of Europe and the USA. Further studies are needed to determine the prevalence and the significant geographic variability of NTM and their clinical significance at the national level.

Whole-blood interferon-gamma assay for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in an unselected Greek population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Although QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT-G) has been approved for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), there are limited data regarding its performance in routine clinical practice. The aim of this study was to compare QFT-G 'In Tube' results, based on stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens, with tuberculin skin test (TST) results in an unselected hospital-based Greek population. METHODS: This was a prospective study of inpatients and outpatients in the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece. Demographic, clinical and microbiological data were collected and correlated to the QFT-G 'In Tube' results. Agreement was tested using the Q-test; kappa coefficient and confounding factors were adjusted for by univariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the 191 patients with valid results for both tests, the concordance between the TST and the QFT-G was 68.5%, with a kappa value of 0.38 (95% CI 0.2-0.5). In 27 (14.1%) patients with active tuberculosis, QFT-G 'In Tube' yielded 85.1% positive results compared with 74% for the TST (P = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Overall agreement between the QFT-G 'In Tube' assay and the TST in this unselected hospital population was low, mainly due to discordant TST-positive/QFT-negative results.

Rapid effect of progesterone on transepithelial resistance of human fetal membranes: evidence for non-genomic action.

1. The factors that regulate human fetal membrane transport mechanisms are unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of progesterone on transepithelial electrical resistance (R(TE)) in the human amniochorion. 2. Fetal membranes from uncomplicated term pregnancies were obtained immediately after vaginal or Caesarean deliveries. Intact pieces were mounted as planar sheets separating an Ussing chamber. Progesterone (10(-4) to 10(-7) mol/L), mifepristone (10(-4) to 10(-8) mol/L) and combinations of progesterone plus mifepristone were applied to the chambers facing the fetal or maternal sides of the membrane. The R(TE) was measured before and 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45 and 60 min after each solution was added (at 37 degrees C). The R(TE) was calculated in Omega.cm(2), according to Ohm's law. 3. The mean (+/-SEM) basal value of R(TE) before the application of any substance in all experiments was 29.1 +/- 0.4 Omega.cm(2). The net change in the R(TE) (Delta R(TE)) in relation to the basal value was calculated in each experiment. Progesterone, mifepristone and the combination of progesterone and mifepristone induced a rapid, surge-type increase in R(TE) during the 1st min on both sides of the membrane. The combination of progesterone plus mifepristone exerted a synergistic action. The effect was stronger on the fetal side than on the maternal side for all substances tested (P < 0.05). The highest Delta R(TE) during the 1st min on the fetal side was seen with the combination of progesterone plus mifepristone (4.0 +/- 0.3 Omega.cm(2)) and the lowest Delta R(TE) occurred with mifepristone (1.5 +/- 0.1 Omega.cm(2)). 4. The present results demonstrated that the R(TE) of human fetal membranes increases rapidly in response to progesterone. It is possible that changes in R(TE) play a role in the control of membrane permeability during pregnancy.

Could IFN-gamma predict the development of residual pleural thickening in tuberculous pleurisy?

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to identify predictive factors for the development of residual pleural thickening (RPT) in patients with tuberculous pleurisy (TP). METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with pleural tuberculosis. The clinical and radiological characteristics, and measurements of microbiological and biochemical parameters or markers such as adenosine deaminase (ADA), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in pleural fluid were studied. RESULTS: Thirty one patients (24 male and 7 female) with a mean age of 55.9 years were studied. There were 25 (80.6%) patients with RPT > 2 mm and 6 (19.4%) patients without RPT. Ten patients (32.2%) had RPT > or = 10 mm. The rate of pleural thickening was less in small effusions (p<0.05). IFN-gamma was higher in patients with RPT > or = 10 mm (p < 0.05) in comparison with those with RPT < 10 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Pleural fluid IFN-gamma may deserve further investigation in order to build up preventive and therapeutic strategies against RPT and its clinical complications.

Evaluation of respiratory parameters in finswimmers regarding gender, swimming style and distance.

AIM: The purpose of our study was to investigate the differences in the finswimmers' physiological characteristics, as far as gender, the swimming style and the different swimming distance are concerned. METHODS: 52 finswimmers participated in our study (Age: 17.4 ±â€¯2.1yrs, BMI: 21.8 ±â€¯2.3, body fat: 12.2 ±â€¯4.7%) and were allocated into groups [Gender: Female vs. Male, swimming style: Bifin vs. Surface, and swimming distance: <200 m vs. ≥200 m]. Anthropometric characteristics, handgrip, estimated strength of inspiratory muscles (PImax) and pulmonary function parameters (FEV1, FVC and PEF) were measured. The Independent T-test was used for statistical comparisons between groups. Multivariate analyses were performed via binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The results showed differences between groups in gender in PEF (p < 0.05), PImax (p < 0.05) and handgrip (p < 0.001) in swimming style in handgrip (p < 0.05), FEV1 (p < 0.05) and FVC (p < 0.05) and in swimming distance (p < 0.05) in hours/day spent at the gym (p < 0.05) and FVC (p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses handgrip remained an independent predictor of style (OR: 1.154; 95%CI: 1.022-1.303, p = .021), and hours/day spent at the gym was retained as an independent predictor of distance (OR: 131.607; 95%CI: 3.655-4739.441, p = .008). CONCLUSION: The data from the present study reveal that handgrip was associated with style, and hours per day spent at the gym were associated with distance.