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Mar 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-9241.jrd-22-4132
Wu JianqingCorresponding author
Healthier World (Independent researcher for cause), P. O. Box 689, Beltsville, MD 20704. USA
To understand lung damages caused by COVID-19, we deduced two phases lung damage mechanisms. After the lungs are infected with COVID-19, the affected lung tissue swells and surface properties of pulmonary capillaries change, both contributing to an increased flow resistance of the capillaries. The initial damages are mainly fluid leakage in a limited number of involved alveoli. The increased vascular resistance results in retaining more white blood cells (“WBCs”) in pulmonary capillaries. Some of the WBCs may get into interstitial spaces. When more and more WBCs are dynamically retained, the vascular resistance of pulmonary capillaries further rises; and thus the overall vascular resistance of the lungs rises and pulmonary pressure rises. The rise in the pulmonary pressure in turn results in elevated capillary pressures. When pulmonary capillary pressures around the alveoli are sufficiently high, the elevated pressure causes interstitial pressures to change from normally negative values to positive values. The positive pressures cause fluid leakage to the alvoeli and thus degrade lung function. Tissue swelling, and occupation of WBCs in interstitial spaces and occupation of alvoelar spaces by leaked water result in reduced deformable and compressible spaces, and thus causes a further rise of the vascular resistance of the lungs. When the pulmonary pressure has reached a critical point as in the second phase, the blood breaks capillary walls and squeezes through interstitial spaces to reach alveolar spaces, resulting in irreversible lung damages. Among potential influencing factors, the available space in the thorax cage, temperature, and humid are expected to have great impacts. The free space in the thorax cage, lung usable capacity, and other organ usable capacities are the major factors that determine the arrival time of last- phase irreversible damage. The mechanisms imply that the top priority for protecting lungs is maintaining pulmonary micro-circulation and preserving organ functions in the entire disease course while controlling viral reproduction should be stressed in the earliest time possible. The mechanisms also explain how leukecytes are “recruited and migrated” into inflamed tissues by dynamic retention.
Feb 2022
Gobato RicardoCorresponding author
Green Land Landscaping and Gardening, Seedling Growth Laboratory, 86130-000, Parana, Brazil.
Using samples of small cell lung tumors, a research team led by biologist Dr. Raymond discovered two new ways to induce tumor cell death. By activating ferroptosis, one of two subtypes of tumor cells can be targeted: first, iron-dependent cell death due to oxidative stress, and second, oxidative stress. Therefore, cell death can also be induced in a different way. Both types of cell death must be caused by drugs at the same time to eliminate the majority of the tumor mass. It is currently in clinical trials for cancer treatment. Auranofin, which inhibits the production of protective antioxidants in cancer cells, has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis for decades. Future clinical trials using this combination therapy will determine the extent to which this targeted treatment option improves the prognosis of small cell lung cancer patients. It is currently in clinical trials for cancer treatment. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Despite evidence of molecular abnormalities in biological specimens, progress in this disease is hampered by the lack of diagnostic markers useful for clinical practice. The majority of patients with lung cancer are still diagnosed at an advanced stage, when prognosis is poor. This article reviews new strategies being studied for the early detection of lung cancer. These strategies involve new methods of imaging (including low-dose computed tomography CT scanning), DNA analysis, and proteomic-based techniques. These strategies have not only improved our understanding of lung cancer but show promise in offering better survival to patients with this deadly disease. Of paramount importance in the search for methods of early detection is the need for the identification of the ideal population to screen, a multidisciplinary approach, and validation of promising techniques.
May 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-9241.jrd-19-2773
Klepikov I.Corresponding author
Professor Renton, Washington, USA
This commentary examines pneumonia as infection and inflammatory syndrome, parsing diagnostic criteria and implications for antimicrobial stewardship.
Mar 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-9241.jrd-18-2499
A. S. Sardenberg RodrigoCorresponding author
Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital Paulistano, Americas Serviços Médicos São Paulo, Brazil
Distant metastases generally indicate disseminated disease and the standard treatment for these patients is palliative chemotherapy. Retrospective series showed that selected patients with metastatic lung cancer and a solitary extrathoracic disease could be effectively treated with curative intention by resection of both primary tumor and the single site of metastatic disease. According to current data, adrenalectomy might be considered as an alternative option for patients with isolated adrenal metastases. Significant morbidity and mortality may be happened by these procedures, and a cautious analysis of pros and cons should be discussed with the patient. We present a review of the literature and updated recommendations focusing lung cancer with solitary adrenal metastasis.
Jun 2018
Depres JanCorresponding author
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospital Gasthuisberg.
Our study aims to help researchers calculate resources based on a rat breeding colony for experiments on fetal lung development. The Wistar rat is commonly used in experimental research. In the context of fetal lung studies, the nitrofen rat is a model for pulmonary hypoplasia and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Data needed to calculate resources for new experiments are not easily available. We prospectively acquired data on the reproductive performance and fetal outcome of 314 consecutive virgin Wistar dams in our fetal lung research breeding colony. We define the impact of breeding conditions on rat fertility and evaluate different methods to diagnose early rat gestation. Effects of nitrofen exposure as well as fetal surgery in terms of prenatal mortality and gross anatomical parameters of lung development are quantified in nitrofen-exposed and -unexposed fetuses from embryonic day 19 to 21 in 12h intervals. A reduced mating interval (1h) provides a great degree of experimental control with feasible pregnancy rates and a large litter size. Nitrofen exposure, as well as fetal surgery, depict high fetal survival rates. Fetal lung findings were very reproducible and could allow for reduction of animals utilized within experimental groups.
Mar 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-1716.jn-18-1993
W. Kurtis ChildersCorresponding author
Cardiovascular disease and lung cancer are two of the most common causes of death in the United States. The cardioprotective benefits of statin class drugs is predominantly mediated through the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, decreasing available mevalonate, and thus limiting in vivo cholesterol biosynthesis. Mevalonate and its metabolites have significant roles in cellular membrane synthesis, which is dysregulated during tumorigenesis, and is therefore a potential source for anti-tumor effects of statins. Similarly, dysregulation of cellular signaling is a hallmark of tumorigenesis. In vitro studies of EGFR, RAS, and AKT signaling pathways in cancer cells can all be reformed back to states more indicative of normally functioning cells when treated with statins. Statins have also been shown to exert beneficial properties in the presence of chemotherapeutic medications and radiation therapies by modulating the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species, decreasing tumor cell resistance, and minimizing damage to surrounding native tissues. There is abundant of in vitro evidence to support the beneficial effects of statins on lung cancer patients. Prospective studies to determine the value of statin therapy on lung cancer prevention could lead to a significant change in lung cancer treatment.
Mar 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2642-9241.jrd-18-1958
Ba T TaCorresponding author
Military Hospital 103
Background Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) has been applied in COPD patients with heterogeneous emphysema. In this first clinical trial in Vietnam, we evaluated the safety and initial results of BLVR by one-way valve in COPD patients with severe emphysema. Methods We performed a prospective, nonrandomized, single center longitudinal study in 30 stable COPD patients with heterogeneous severe emphysema on CT-scanner, the average age of 65.17 years old, FEV1≤35 %pred., TLC ≥ 100 %pred., RV ≥ 150 %pred. and 6MWT < 450 meters. The Zephyr one-way bronchial valves (PulmonX, Redwood City, CA, USA) with the size of 5.5 mm and 4mm were placed in lobar or segmental bronchi via flexible bronchoscopy. 28 patients were placed only one valve, 1 patient with two and 1 patient with three valves. 23 valves with the size 5.5 mm diameters and 10 valves with the size 4.0mm used. All patients received optimal medical treatment at the time of procedure and during the study period. Outcomes will be assessed at 3 months after treatment include the changes of clinic, and lung function, the occurrence of complications. Results After 3 months, mean CAT scores decreased significantly compared with before procedure (17.73 ± 3.53 vs 20.10 ± 3.58) (p<0.05), with the median change of 2.73 points and the improvement more than 2 points in 76.67% of patients. 6 MWT increased at 3 months with mean 32.13 meters, 93.33% of the patients increased 6MWT, 46.67% of the patients increased 6MWT more than 26 meters. MRC decreased with the median change of 0.5 score. VC decreased by a mean 0.2 (L) (0.42 - 0.02), FEV1 increased by a mean 0.05 (L) (0.04 - 0.05) but not statistically significant (p>0.05); FVC increased by a mean 0.14 (L) (0.01 - 0.28), RV decreased by a mean 0.62 (L) (1.05 - 0.2), TLC decreased by a mean 0.52 (L) (0.77- 2.4) with statistically significant (P<0.05). The early complications were 13.33%, the later complications were 23.34% of the patients. Conclusions The unilateral bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with one-way valve (mainly one valve) in treatment of heterogeneous severe emphysema in stable COPD patients in Viet Nam have shown that this procedure is safe with encouraging initial results.
Feb 2018
Ba T TaCorresponding author
Military Hospital 103
Lung transplantation is an established treatment option for patients of end-stage lung diseases. Leading indications include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and bronchiectasis, pulmonary arterial hypertension. Living donor lung transplantation (LDLT) was indicated for patients who experience a decline in physical condition and have limited life expectancy and had the better result than from brain dead. The first case of LDLT in Vietnam is 7 year olds boy with difuse congenital bronchiectasis, chronic respiratory failure and cor pulmonale. The right and left lower lobes from father and relative uncle are implanted in a recipient in place of whole right and left lung. The initial result of this recipient showed that lung function recuperated quickly and had no early complications. After 12 months surgery, the recipient had normal physical exercise capacity, subclinical tests in normal limits and no respiratory symptoms, opportunistic infection.
Jul 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2639-1716.jn-17-1499
Abu Arab WalidCorresponding author
Service de Chirurgie thoracique, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
Non-small cell lung cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Surgery is still the mainstay of treatment especially in early stages of the disease. Despite the fact that surgery is the potentially curative treatment, the recurrence and mortality rates are still high specifically with more advanced stages of cancer. Heparin has been suggested to have a positive impact on the outcome of various cancers through its anticoagulants properties and; in some instances; due to their antitumor activity. Recently, the molecular mechanisms of tumor cell spreading have been recognised. Metastasis is a complex process that could be therapeutically affected wherever certain extra-cellular matrix proteins could play an important role in prevention of tumor cell migration and invasion. Experimental studies have shown decreased metastases development after heparin use in rat models. We have reviewed the literature to study the role of anticoagulants in cancer patients in general and in patients with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) specifically.
Jun 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-9359.jot-17-1570
A. ForsbergCorresponding author
Institute of Health Sciences at Lund University, Sweden.
Chronic bodily pain after lung transplantation has received little attention. Therefore, the aim was to provide a multidimensional assessment of self-reported chronic pain 1-5 years after lung transplantation and its relationship with self-reported psychological general well-being (PGWB) and self-efficacy. This multicenter, cross-sectional study is a part of the Swedish national study: Self-management after thoracic transplantation (SMATT). In total, 117 lung transplant recipients, all white, due for their yearly follow-up at one (n=35), two (n=28), three (n=23), four (n=20) or five years (n=11) after transplantation were included. Of these, 113 reported their pain on the Pain-O-Meter (POM), which provides information about pain intensity, quality, location, and duration. In addition, they responded to the PGWB instrument and the Self-Efficacy instrument for managing chronic disease. The prevalence of pain was 51% after 1 year, 68 % after 2 years, 69.5 % after 3 years, 75 % after 4 years and 54.5 % after 5 years. Women experienced higher pain intensity and worse sensory and affective burden than men. Psychological general well-being was the main factor that contributed to the experience of pain. Better perceived psychological well-being lowered the odds for pain, while higher self-efficacy reduced the probability of experiencing pain. Many of the lung recipients lacked pain treatment and were uncertain about the reasons behind their pain. Chronic bodily pain is a common and serious symptom up to five years after lung transplantation. Female lung recipients experience more pain and pain related illness than men.
May 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4488.jna-15-720
El Bardai GhitaCorresponding author
Nephrology department, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, Morocco.
Introduction: Sonographic B-lines, also known as lung comets, have been shown to correlate with the presence of extravascular lung water. The aim of this study is to assess if chest ultrasound could detect lung water imbibition and its variations induced by dialysis, an experimental model of controlled rapid fluid loss. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a hemodialysis center in the city of Fez. Lung ultrasounds, impedance measurement, and ultrasound of the inferior vena cava were achieved 30-60 minutes before and after the hemodialysis session. Results: The values, measured by the different techniques used, decrease significantly after hemodialysis (p <0.001). The values studied before and after the hemodialysis, had shown a significant correlation between the results of the impedance measurement, lung ultrasound, and the maximum and minimum of the VCI index diameter and its collapsibility. The decrease in B-lines was correlated with weight decrease during dialysis (p0.005); none of the parameters concerning the IVC were correlated with fluid removal. Conclusion: ultrasound performed at the bedside is now emerging as a reliable, easy-to-apply, and safe method for measuring both lung water and intravascular overload and their decrease after dialysis even on asymptomatic patients. These observations strongly support the use of lung ultrasound in estimating volume overload and monitoring the response to therapy in hemodialysis patients.
A. S. Sardenberg RodrigoCorresponding author
Chief of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital Paulistano, Americas Serviços Médicos São Paulo, Brazil
Distant metastases generally indicate disseminated disease and the standard treatment for these patients is palliative chemotherapy. Retrospective series showed that selected patients with metastatic lung cancer and a solitary extrathoracic disease could be effectively treated with curative intention by resection of both primary tumor and the single site of metastatic disease. According to current data, adrenalectomy might be considered as an alternative option for patients with isolated adrenal metastases. Significant morbidity and mortality may be happened by these procedures, and a cautious analysis of pros and cons should be discussed with the patient. We present a review of the literature and updated recommendations focusing lung cancer with solitary adrenal metastasis.
May 2026 DOI 10.14302/issn.2572-3030.jcgb-26-6307
Faisst Arne-C.Corresponding author
The development of tumor biomarkers derived from blood, or its components, has become pivotal in advancing early cancer diagnosis. Malignant transformations induce cancer-specific alterations in the transcriptome, proteome, and secretome of tumor cells. Recent studies highlighted similar alterations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in cancer patients, which appear to mirror the state of transformation in tumor cells. These findings suggest an intercellular communication–driven mechanism rather than a systemic inflammatory response and, in addition to current ctDNA-based liquid biopsy biomarkers, point to a novel, simple, and highly robust approach for the early detection of cancer. Using this phenomenon to advance PBMC-based biomarker development, it will be essential to achieve 3D in vitro tumor models that reproduce a highly physiological tumor microenvironment (TME). Likewise, more enhanced 3D ex vivo models are required to enable the replication of cell-to-cell and organ-to-organ communication. These systems will guide the self-organization of mixed microenvironments derived from different tissues and enable them to accurately reproduce the molecular connections underlying these alterations. In this study, an innovative new modular 3D co-culturing approach was used to expose PBMCs to lung tumoroids, under physiologically relevant conditions. Changes in DNA fragmentation of PBMCs in the presence of lung cancer were quantified and used as a biomarker. To validate the predictiveness of this biomarker, our results were compared with clinical data from a clinical evaluation study. Similar to the clinical trial observations, PBMCs, when exposed to lung tumoroids, showed a significantly lower level of DNA fragmentation (37%). This modular 3D co-culturing model showed a predictiveness of the clinical data of > 90%, demonstrating its power to monitoring cell-to-cell communication effects and support the development of blood-based biomarkers.
Feb 2026
Singhal SunilCorresponding author
Objective The landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has changed due to liberalized utilization of computed tomography, developments in immunotherapy and targeted treatments, and guidelines encouraging sublobar resections. We analyzed the implications of these advances for surgical procedures over a 16-year period. Methods The National Cancer Database was used to identify NSCLC incident cases from 2004 to 2020. Histology, stage, grade, and treatment were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results 2,028,553NSCLC patients were identified. Each year was associated with an increase in Stage I for NSCLC (OR1.05, 95%CI 1.05-1.05) and histological subtypes (adenocarcinoma: OR1.03, 95%CI 1.03-1.04; squamous: OR1.02, 95%CI 1.02-1.02; neuroendocrine: OR1.11, 95%CI 1.11-1.12), with no change in adenosquamous histology. A similar increase was observed for well- or moderately-differentiated histology (OR1.04, 95%CI 1.04-1.04). The proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy decreased (OR0.98, 95%CI 0.98-0.98), while more patients were treated with immunotherapy or targeted therapy, including an increase of 14% using immunotherapy or targeted therapy as first-line treatment. There was a decrease in the likelihood of receiving pneumonectomy (OR 0.91, 95%CI 0.91-0.91). Despite guidelines advocating sublobar resections, these procedures only increased by 1.1% per year. Conclusions Over the 16-year study period, there was a significant trend towards diagnosis of Stage I NSCLC. The most pronounced change in treatment patterns has been more patients receiving immunotherapy and less chemotherapy. Despite a promising decrease in pneumonectomies, the frequency of sublobar resections remains stagnant, indicating limited uptage in current practice.
Sep 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-24-5218
Luna-Rivero CesarCorresponding author
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection often causes coagulation disorders that affect highly vascularized organs, such as the lungs and kidneys. Objective The objective of this study was to report the histopathological findings of variations in the fibrin pattern of pulmonary and renal microthrombi in patients who died from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Minimally invasive autopsies were performed on 40 patients to collect lung (n=40) and kidney (n=16) tissue samples. Histochemical and immunohistochemical staining techniques were used for histopathological analyses. Premortem laboratory data were obtained from the patients' electronic medical records. Results The lung tissue showed a patchy pattern, characterized by areas of both minimal and severe damage. The most significant histopathological finding was the detection of thrombi with fibrin structures organized into discrete star-shaped units, which were more frequently observed in areas with severe lung injury than in those with minimal lung injury (p = 0.012). Star-shaped fibrin structures were also observed in the renal glomerular capillaries. Immunohistochemical staining revealed the presence of platelets and the procoagulant proteins von Willebrand factor (VWF) and Factor VIII within the star-shaped fibrin thrombi. Patients with star-shaped fibrin thrombi had higher levels of the systemic inflammatory indicators C-reactive protein (CRP) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Conclusion Our observations suggest that the inflammatory microenvironment resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection may contribute to the formation of star-shaped fibrin units in the pulmonary and renal microthrombi.
Mar 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2694-1201.jsn-22-4184
Ekladious AdelCorresponding author
Sarcoidosis is granulomatous autoinflammatory autoimmune remitting relapsing disease affecting every organ in the body, it is the most difficult disease to diagnose in the absence of serum or imaging biomarker. Differential diagnosis is broad which included inflammatory, infective, neurodegenerative and neoplastic, histological biopsy is the only confirmative marker, and even histological confirmation is not robust as infection, malignancy and some drugs can induce granuloma, the most common organs affected are lung, lymph nodes, skin, eyes, liver, and less commonly pituitary gland, bones, brain, peripheral nerves, and heart, causing bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, granulomatous lymphadenitis.
Sep 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4496.jtc-23-4722
J. Conway PatrickCorresponding author
Background Patients with distant metastatic Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) have an estimated 40% ten-year survival rate. Gain of function mutations in the REarranged during Transfection or RET gene in MTC can result in an aggressive phenotype resistant to traditional therapy. In this case report, we describe the treatment of an MTC patient with a unique RET kinase deletion mutation. Case presentation Since diagnosis, 21 years ago, this patient has had chronically elevated calcitonin levels (>40,000 pg/mL) that was unable to be controlled by conventual therapy and clinical trials. As result of uncontrolled MTC, metastatic disease was found in the spine, liver, and lungs. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis identified a RET 898-901Del mutation, reported as a variant of unknown significance. The treating physician identified that the deletion was in the activation loop of RET kinase and considered that the mutation was constitutively activating RET kinase. The patient was prescribed Pralsetinib, a small molecule inhibitor targeting the ATP binding site of RET. Pralsetinib treatment achieved a durable response and was able to significantly decrease serum calcitonin levels (<200 pg/mL) and tumor size. Conclusion This RET deletion mutation is a pathogenic mutation with comparable enzymatic activity to the more common RET M918T mutation. The case report highlights the versatility of structural biologic approaches to guide therapeutic decisions.
Jun 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-23-4587
Bhoite RachanaCorresponding author
Background Cachexia is highly prevalent in cancer patients and is responsible for as much as 20% of all cancer deaths. Nevertheless, there is little emphasis on cachexia in routine clinical practice. This study looks at the efficacy and tolerability of a protein and energy-dense nutritional supplement with immunonutrients on cachexia in cancer patients. Methods This was a three-month, prospective, open-label study of patients undergoing radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for head and neck or gastrointestinal or lung cancer. Efficacy endpoints were mean change in muscle strength, acute phase proteins (albumin and pre-albumin), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, weight, Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), and nutritional status at the end of the study period. Results The study population consists of 47 (79.66%) males and 12 (20.34%) females with a mean age of 47.98 ± 12.16 years. The mean change in muscle strength, albumin, pre-albumin, CRP levels, and weight for the overall study population was 0.17 ± 12.09 kg (P=0.9145), -0.05 ± 0.53 g/dl, (P=0.5888), -0.01 ± 0.09 g/dl (P=0.2951), 0.50 ± 37.41 mg/dl (P=0.9258), -0.59 ± 3.70 kg (P=0.2265), respectively. At the end of the study period, there was a significant improvement in the nutritional status concerning total calories, protein, and fat intake. Conclusion Protein and energy-dense nutritional supplement with immunonutrients might help in the improvement of muscle strength, GPS, and dietary intake. The addition of the supplement to the diet regime of patients with cancer cachexia increases their daily consumption of proteins which might translate to multimodal clinical benefits.
May 2023
Bouguerra FadouaCorresponding author
Background and Aim Breast cancer is the second most common cause of brain metastases after lung cancer. However, the incidence of cerebral metastases from breast cancer has increased during the last years. The purpose of this study is to determine the prognostic value of chemotherapy after whole-brain radiotherapy for patients with brain metastases from breast cancer. Methods We analyzed retrospectively 63 records of patients diagnosed with brain metastases from breast cancer and treated in the radiotherapy department at the Salah Azaiz Institute of oncology over a 5-year period between 2007 and 2011. All patients received whole-brain radiotherapy. Only 4 patients had surgical resection of the metastases before radiotherapy and 36.5% of patients received systemic treatment after irradiation. Results Overall survival was 19% at 1-year and median survival was 4,5 months. Univariate analysis indicated that systemic treatment after irradiation was correlated significantly with longer survival. (p=0,046). Conclusion Determining prognostic factors might help optimize individual treatment for metastatic breast cancer. The results of our study suggest that chemotherapy is more effective on brain metastases after irradiation. This can be explained by the fragilization of the blood-brain barrier by radiation and subsequently a better passage of cytotoxic agents.
Nov 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-22-4335
Cameron Y. S. LeeCorresponding author
It is estimated that over 47 million people use tobacco products, mostly in the form of combustible (smokable) tobacco cigarettes. Thirteen to 50% of smokers also use electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes or vaping). Use of tobacco is the primary preventable cause of death and risk factor for lung, head, neck, and oropharyngeal cancer. Electronic cigarettes are a $10 billion dollar industry and has the potential to surpass the tobacco cigarette market. E-cigarette use is a public health concern because of the health issues of vaping and the limited amount of scientific research to support the safety of e-cigarette use. The authors of this paper want to create awareness that use of e-cigarettes is not a safer alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes as e-cigarettes contain known carcinogens that may lead to development of oropharyngeal cancer.
Oct 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-22-4319
V. Ezepchuk YuriiCorresponding author
Professor of Biochemistry, Denver, Colorado, USA
The victims of the first wave of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus Covid-19 were tens of millions of people in the population inhabiting the Earth. A previously unknown strain of Covid 19, which has a specific affinity for lung tissue and high contagiousness, has demonstrated a global danger to the life of the population of the entire planet. The pathogenicity of the virus is due to a three-segment structure, in which the RNA-containing segment, which is a pathogenicity factor responsible for specific lesions, most likely has an enzymatic nature.
Sep 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-22-4328
Dias De Souza GleimCorresponding author
Radiologist at Núcleo de Radiologia e Imagenologia do Hospital Regional da Asa Norte-HRAN-Distrito Federal-Brasília-Brazil
Objectives To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of chest CT for the diagnosis of COVID-19 associated with the clinical presentation and in relation to the PCR-RT. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, gender, age group and degree of lung involvement will be evaluated. Methods We evaluated 1545 patients with chest CT, delineating the age range and degree of lung involvement, and 306 patients with chest CT and PCR-RT. Results Of the 1545 examinations, 53% were men and 47% were women, there was greater involvement in the 50-59 age group. In the pulmonary study, 55.05% were COVID-19. In the degree of lung involvement 37.70% were mild, 35.76% were moderate, and 26.54% were severe. In the distribution by age, there was a greater involvement between 50-59 years with 56% between moderate (27.6%) and severe (28.0%). Between tomography and PCR-RT, the sensitivity was 68.8%, specificity 59.5%, accuracy 91.3%, with prevalence 31.9%, positive predictive value 44.3% and negative predictive value 80.3%, in females, sensitivity 55.3%, positive predictive value 37.1%, negative predictive value 75.3%, in males, sensitivity 81.6%, positive predictive value 50, 6 and negative predictive value 86.6%.The sensitivities are different between the genders with p of 0.005 and specificity of 0.938, with age effect, starting at 45 years we have a p of 0.057 that decreases to 0.006 at 80 years for sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions The sensitivity and accuracy of CT scan in relation to PCR-RT was significant. Sensitivity increases with prevalence and in the older age group and in men.
Jun 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-22-4054
Abdo Jilo SufianCorresponding author
Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Ethiopia
A cross-sectional study was conducted on bovine hydatidosis from May 2018 to November 2020 with the aims of finding its incidence and economic losses in bovine slaughtered for human consumption in Dalomana municipality abattoir. Usual ante mortem and post-mortem inspection was carried out on overall of 430 selected slaughtered cattle. From this total inspected, 82(19.1%) of them had harboured hydatid cyst (s) in one or more of their organ’s. Age and body condition as a risk factor were statistically significant as older zebus and medium were more infected (P<0.05, χ2= 14.597 and p value<0.05 χ2=9.68) respectively. Similarly, the geographical origin of the animals had significant contribution on hyadatid cyst distribution (P < 0.05, χ2 =12.724). Sex was statistically non-significant (P>0.05,χ2 =0.74) and have no difference. The single and multiple organs were infected by hydatid cysts. From the total of 282 hydatid cysts collected and characterized lung and livertook more percentage in harboring cysts, from this 137(48.58%) and 126(44.68%) cysts were observed in lung and liver respectively and 19(6.74%) are observed in other organ, such as spleen, kidney, and heart. The study indicated that annual economic failure due to direct organ condemnation and indirect carcass weight loss from the disease in Dalomana was estimated to be 105769.657 ETB. Hence, bovine hydatidosis is significantly a common disease in cattle, with severe public health fears and leads considerable servable and undetectable losses in bovine in Dalomana and its surroundings.
Mar 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2470-5020.jnrt-21-3755
Jana SnehasisCorresponding author
Trivedi Science Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Thane (W), Maharashtra, India.
A novel proprietary test formulation was designed which included minerals, vitamins, β-carotene, cannabidiol isolate,and Panax ginseng extract. This present study was evaluated the impact of the Trivedi Effect® on novel proprietary test formulation in male Sprague Dawley rats, fed with vitamin D3 deficiency diet (VDD). The novel test formulation was divided into two parts; one part was defined as untreated test formulation, while the other part was defined as the Biofield Energy Treated sample, which received the Biofield Energy Healing Treatment by renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Mr. Mahendra Kumar Trivedi. The level of 25-OH Vit. D3 was measured in brain homogenate, which was found to be increased by 20.13%, 24.12%, 45.86%, 14.79%, and 29.96% in the G5 group treated with Biofield Treated test formulation, Biofield Energy Treatment per se to the animals (G6), 15 days pre-treatment of Biofield Energy Treated test formulation (G7), Biofield Energy Treatment per se plus Biofield Energy Treated test formulation from day -15 (G8), and untreated test formulation to the Biofield Energy Treated animals (G9) groups respectively, as compared with the disease control (G2) group. Brain acetylcholine (ACh) level was increased by 61.33% in the G7 group as compared with the untreated test formulation (G4) group. The expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was significantly reduced by 43.44% (p≤0.01), 30.93%, 21.42%, 45.99% (p≤0.01), and 60.85% (p≤0.01), respectively as compared with the G4. Lung pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) level was significantly reduced in the G5, G6, G7, and G8 by 24.86%, 32.55% (p≤0.01), 30.12% (p≤0.01), and 42.69% (p≤0.01), respectively, as compared with the G4 group. Altogether, the Biofield Treated test formulation and/or per se treatment to the animals significantly improved the levels of active form of vitamin D3 metabolite (25-OH Vit D3) and neurotransmitter (ACh); consequently significantly lowered the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α). Therefore, the energized test formulation or per se treatment could be effectively useful against neuronal damage and inflammation for the management of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementias, brain cancer, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, mental disorders, and Parkinson’s. Thus, the results showed a significant slowdown of disease progression and all other disease-related complications/symptoms in the preventive Biofield Energy Treatment group per se and the Biofield Energy Treated Test formulation groups (viz. G6, G7, G8, and G9) as compared to the disease control group.
Mar 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-0904.ijoe-21-3736
Neuberger ManfredCorresponding author
Medical University of Vienna, Centre of Public Health; A-1090 Wien, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Austria
In the catering industrytobacco smoke was the primary source of fine and ultrafine particles, which are well known for their health-damaging effects. As shown in studies, attempts to reduce passive smoking in the catering industry of Vienna, like separated smoking rooms, failed to reduce fine and ultrafine particle concentrations effectively. On November 1st 2019, an enlarged non-smoker’s protection law was introduced, including a total smoking-ban in the catering industry. 40 hospitality venues with areas for smokers and non-smokers before the ban had been selected as typical Viennese cafes, pubs, bars and discotheques to be sampled unannounced. Concentrations of fine particle mass (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) and ultrafine particle number (PNC) and lung deposited surface area (LDSA) could be measured before and after the introduction of the smoking-ban in 39 venues at nearly identical locations and under comparable circumstances. Results showed a statistically significant decline in both fine and ultrafine particle concentrations in the former smoking areas for all parameters as well as in the former non-smoking areas for PM2.5, PM1 and LDSA. After the ban concentrations in former smoking areas and non-smoking areas showed no significant differences any more. From these results the smoking-ban successfully removed particles from breathing air of guests and staff, however, some outliers in the study after the ban point to the necessity of repeated controls in Vienna. Also, outside Vienna the compliance with the law should be controlled in the Austrian hospitality industry.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-20-3685
Elkhenany HodaCorresponding author
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
The current uncontrollable outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has unleashed severe global consequences in all aspects of life and society, bringing the whole world to a complete halt and has modeled significant threats to the global economy. The COVID-19 infection manifests with flu-like symptoms such as cough, cold, and fever resulting in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), lung dysfunction, and other systemic complications in critical patients are creating panic across the globe. However, the licensed vaccine has started to show up; some resulted in side effects that would limit its possibility in some circumstances as allergic personnel, for example. Moreover, the production and approval of new drugs is a very complicated process and takes a long time. On the other hand, stem cells have gone the extra mile and intensively investigated at preclinical and clinical studies in various degenerative diseases, including infectious ones. Stem cells are proposed as a broad-spectrum therapeutic agent, which may suppress the exaggerated immune response and promote endogenous repair by enhancing COVID-19 infected lung microenvironment. Also, stem cells have different application manners, either direct transplantation, exosome transplantation, or drug delivery of specific cytokines or nanoparticles with antiviral property by engineering stem cells. This review discusses and summarizes the possible emerging role of cell-based therapy, especially stem cell therapy, as an alternative promising therapeutic option for the treatment and control of novel COVID-19 and its potential role in tissue rejuvenation after COVID-19 infection.
Dec 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-20-3624
Rutayisire ErigeneCorresponding author
Department of public Health, Mount Kenya University Rwanda Kigali Rwanda
Report has shown that there is an increase of respiratory disease among bars attendants over time whereby in 2011, 32% of bars attendants reported respiratory diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of bar attendants towards second-hand smoke (SHS) at work place in Nyarugenge District, Rwanda. This was a cross-sectional study using mixed methods of both qualitative and quantitative. A total of 384 bar attendants participated in the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Descriptive analysis using frequency and percentages was computed. he qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The majority of respondents (66.4%) were within the age group of 28-37 years, 60.2% of respondents were males, 60.9% of respondents were illiterate, and 57.3% of respondents were single at the time of data collection.The majority (78.6%) of the study respondents knew that Smoking is dangerous to human health. The cited consequences of SHS include air pollution that enter the respiratory system and damage the lungs, dizziness and others. All respondents agreed that people who smoke should not be allowed to smoke in public places. Improving bar attendants’ access to health education on SHS and encouraging continuous and constant exposure would significantly increase the knowledge and attitude levels of bar attendants towards SHS.
Nov 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-20-3618
Jana SnehasisCorresponding author
Trivedi Science Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Thane (W), Maharashtra, India.
Metronidazole is an antibiotic and useful for the antibacterial and antiprotozoal medication. This study was performed to investigate the impact of the Trivedi Effect®-Biofield Energy Healing Treatment on the structural properties and the isotopic abundance ratio of metronidazole using LC-MS and GC-MS spectroscopy. Metronidazole sample was divided into two parts, one part of metronidazole was considered as control (no Biofield Energy Treatment was provided), while the second part was treated with the Trivedi Effect®-Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Alice Branton and termed as a treated sample. The LC-MS spectra of both the samples of metronidazole at the retention time (Rt) 2.61 minutes exhibited the mass of the protonated molecular ion peak at m/z 172 M+H+ (calculated for C6H10N3O3+, 172.07). The LC-MS based isotopic abundance ratio of PM+1/PM (2H/1H or 13C/12C or 15N/214N or 17O/16O) in the treated metronidazole was significantly increased by 8.24% compared with the control sample. Thus,13C, 2H, 15N,and17O contributions from (C6H10N3O3)+ to m/z 173 in the treated sample were significantly increased compared with the control sample. The GC-MS based isotopic abundance ratio of PM+1/PM in the treated metronidazole was significantly increased by 5.92% compared with the control sample. Hence,13C, 2H, 15N, and217O contributions from (C6H9N3O3)+ to m/z 172 in the Biofield Energy Treated sample were significantly increased compared with the control sample. However, the isotopic abundance ratio of PM+2/PM in the treated metronidazole was significantly decreased by 18.2% compared with the control sample. Hence,18O contributions from (C6H9N3O3)+ to m/z 173 in the treated sample were significantly decreased compared with the control sample. The isotopic abundance ratio of PM+1/PM (2H/1H or 13C/12C or 15N/14N or 17O/16O) and PM+2/PM (18O/16O) in the treated metronidazole was significantly altered compared to the control sample. From the results, it can be hypothesized that the changes in isotopic abundance and mass peak intensities could be due to changes in nuclei possibly through the interference of neutrino particles via the Trivedi Effect® - Consciousness Energy Healing Treatment. The new form of treated metronidazole would be better designing novel pharmaceutical formulations that might offer better therapeutic response against bacterial and protozoal infection in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis), stomach (giardiasis, trichomoniasis, pseudomembranous colitis), joints (pelvic inflammatory disease), liver, skin, brain, and respiratory tract, aspiration pneumonia, rosacea, intra-abdominal infections, lung abscess, fungating wounds, periodontitis, amoebiasis, oral infections, etc.
Sep 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-20-3538
M.R PonizovskiyCorresponding author
Kiev, Ukraine, “Kiev regional p/n hospital”, /Head of “Laboratory Biochemistry and Toxicology”
There were compared mechanisms infecting a human organism by different viruses in relation to interaction between human diploid cellular cycle mechanisms and coronaviruses haploid genomic mechanism. Besides there were described mechamism forming combined haploid-diploid cellular cycle of viral affected cells due to interactions between human cellular cycle mechanisms and coronaviruses genomic mechanism. Further there were considered infected way of SARS-CoV-2 from mechanism maintenance stability Internal Energy of an organism’s able-bodies cells and transmutation them into viral affected cells leading to death of affected cells of high respiratory level in nose-trachea-bronchi with transiting coronaviruses through dead cells‘ wall and infecting lungs‘ cells. Taking into account great searches of methods treatments Coronaviruses infected disease, we offered to approved through detail clinical Trial of new efficient method of treatment ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 disease which can rescue of still alive lungs‘ cells. Moreover there was reviewed offered therapy of SARS-CoV-2 induced disease.
Sep 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2693-1176.ijgh-20-3546
Sah BikashCorresponding author
Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal.
Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly evolved as a pandemic with a challenge to the entire world for its management. Various modalities of treatment have been tried till date and when all the modalities failed then the only option that has been shown to be successful in some cases is lung transplantation. Decision for Solid-organ transplantation is not only made based upon its therapeutic requirement but also need to be supported by the law of land. In this regard, current Nepalese law is not with the provision for lung transplantation. Thus, in order to make the concerned authorities aware of it and also as a step toward the preparedness for COVID-19 pandemic, this research has been conducted with an aim to see the perception of health care professionals of tertiary care centre of eastern Nepal regarding the legal aspects of lung transplantation. Conclusion Outcome of this research has supported the therapeutic aspect of transplantation over its legal issue in the emergency conditions like COVID-19 Pandemic.
Jun 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2691-8862.jvat-20-3320
Ataie AminCorresponding author
Babol university of medical science, Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Iran
By increase the incidence of infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), diagnostic factors for early identification of high-risk individuals are important. On the other hand, more infections are in older patient, comorbidities, and male patients. Identification of components that related to severity of COVID-19 contributed to ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes, which are critical for viral infection. It was found that adding enzyme copy, hrsACE2, lures the virus to attach itself to it instead of the actual cells… It inhibits the virus from infecting the cells in the lungs and other organs.
Jul 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2640-6403.jtrr-19-2946
Jana SnehasisCorresponding author
Trivedi Science Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Thane (W), India
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or failure is one of the major concerns against healthcare services in order to maintain the normal function. The present study aimed to explore the impact of the Biofield Energy Treated test formulation on the function of vital organs such as bones, heart, liver, lungs, and brain using standard activity parameters in specific cell-based assays. The test formulation and cells medium was divided into two parts, one untreated (UT) and other part received the Biofield Energy Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Ariadne Esmene Afaganis, Canada and was labeled as the Biofield Treated (BT) test formulation/media. The test formulation was tested for cell viability, and the data suggested that the test formulation was found safe and non-toxic against all the cell lines. Cytoprotective activity among the experimental groups showed a significant improved activity by 94.4% at 1 µg/mL in untreated medium (UT-Med) + Biofield Treated Test Item (BT-TI) group in human cardiac fibroblasts cells (HCF) cells, while 84.4% at 10 µg/mL in BT-Med + BT-TI groups in human hepatoma cells (HepG2), and 124% increased cytoprotective action at 1 µg/mL in UT-Med + BT-TI group in adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) cells as compared with the untreated test group. ALP activity in MG-63 cells was significantly increased by 85.9% at 10 µg/mL in the UT-Med + BT-TI group, while in Ishikawa cells showed maximum increased ALP activity by 59.2% at 0.1 µg/mL in BT-Med + BT-TI groups as compared to the untreated group. The percent protection of HCF (heart) cells (decreased of LDH activity) was significantly increased by 53% and 40.5% at 1 and 10 µg/mL concentrations respectively, in UT-Med + BT-TI group, while BT-Med + UT-TI group showed increased protection by 68.5%, 70.7%, and 16.8% at 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/mL respectively, and 86.5%, 62.5%, and 34.2% improved cellular protection at 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/mL respectively, in BT-Med + BT-TI group as compared to the untreated test group. The percent protection of HepG2 (liver) cells (decreased of ALT activity) was reported by 33.5%, 63.2%, and 99.2% at 10 µg/mL in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively compared to the untreated group. Cellular protection of A549 (lungs) cells (increased of SOD activity) in terms of percentage was increased by increased by 39.8% (at 10 µg/mL), 44% (at 25.5 µg/mL), and 59.7% (at 25.5 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively compared to untreated group. Serotonin level was significantly increased by 59.2% (at 0.1 µg/mL), 190.3% (at 0.1 µg/mL), and 201% (at 1 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively compared to untreated in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). However, the relative quantification (RQ) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) was significantly increased by 159.1% (at 50 µg/mL), 212.7% (at 1 µg/mL), and 278.3% (at 10 µg/mL) in the UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI groups, respectively as compared to the untreated in MG-63 cells. Thus, the present data concluded that the overall multiple organ health using various standard biomarkers in specific cell lines were significantly improved with respect to health of bones, heart, liver, lungs, and brain after treatment with the Biofield Energy treated test formulation (The Trivedi Effect®). Thus, it can be used as a complementary and alternative therapy approach against many multiple organ disorders such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis, liver cancer, hemochromatosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, osteoporosis, etc.
Jul 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-19-2944
Jana SnehasisCorresponding author
Trivedi Science Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., Thane (W), India
The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of Biofield Energy Treated test formulation using six differentcell-lines. The test formulation/item (TI) and cell media (Med) was divided into two parts; one part was untreated (UT) and other part received Biofield Energy Treatment remotely by a renowned Biofield Energy Healer, Janice Patricia Kinney, USA and labeled as Biofield Energy Treated (BT) test item (TI)/media. Based on cell viability assay, test formulation was found as safe at tested concentrations. Cytoprotective activity of test formulation showed a significant restoration of cell viability by 60.6% (10 µg/mL), 67.5% (63.75 µg/mL), and 117.5% (63.75 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively compared to untreated in human cardiac fibroblasts cells (HCF) cells. Moreover, restoration of cell viability was improved by 64% and 127.3% in UT-Med + BT-TI and BT-Med + UT-TI, respectively at 1 µg/mL compared to untreated in human liver cancer (HepG2) cells. Cellular restoration in A549 cells was improved by 314% and 112.3% at 1 µg/mL in BT-Med + UT-TI and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively than untreated. ALP activity in Ishikawa cells was significantly increased by 175.5%, 547.2%, and 220.8% in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively at 0.1 µg/mL as compared to untreated. Additionally, in MG-63 cells showed increased ALP activity by 76.9%, 78.4%, and 79% in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively at 50 µg/mL compared to untreated. The percent cellular protection of HCF (heart) cells (decreased of LDH activity) was significantly increased by 60.6% (10 µg/mL), 67.5% (63.75 µg/mL), and 117.5% (63.75 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively as compared to untreated. An improved HepG2 cells protection (represents decreased ALT activity) by 115.1% (1 µg/mL), 42.5% (25.5 µg/mL), and 60.8% (10 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively as compared to untreated. Percentage cellular protection of A549 (lungs) cells (represents increased of SOD activity) was significantly increased by 191.1% and 81.4% at 0.1 µg/mL in UT-Med + BT-TI and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively as compared to untreated. Serotonin level was significantly increased by 31.8% (10 µg/mL) and 56.9% (25.5 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively compared to untreated in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). Relative quantification (RQ) of vitamin D receptor (VDR) was significantly increased by 304.3% (0.01 µg/mL), 128.4% (0.1 µg/mL), and 240% (0.1 µg/mL) in UT-Med + BT-TI, BT-Med + UT-TI, and BT-Med + BT-TI, respectively compared to untreated in MG-63 cells. Thus, Biofield Energy Treated test formulation (The Trivedi Effect®) significantly improved organ specific functional biomarkers and would be useful for multiple organs health related to coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis, liver cancer, hemochromatosis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, osteoporosis, etc.
Jun 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-0904.ijoe-19-2792
Neuberger ManfredCorresponding author
Center of Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Felbigergasse 3/2/18, Austria
In deaths and diseases attributed to tobacco smoke cardiovascular events exceed cancer and respiratory diseases. Second hand smoke promotes the development of arteriosclerosis and can trigger acute changes of endothelial function and blood coagulability. Indoor smoking bans reduced coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction 10-20% within one year and were followed by sustainable decreases of stroke and diabetes. With a smoke-free hospitality industry people recognized tobacco smoke as an air pollutant, smoking in public was denormalized and social acceptance of smoking in front of children and pregnant women decreased also in homes and cars. Combined effects with ambient air pollution are proven for active smoking and suspected for SHS. Contamination with third hand smoke (THS) persists for months in homes and cars, creating secondary pollutants that in some cases are more toxic (e.g. nitrosamines). Remnants found in air, dust, and on surfaces (carpets, wallpapers, upholstery, soft toys) were associated with their metabolites in saliva of children and in urine of nonsmokers residing in homes previously occupied by smokers. In animal experiments effects of THS were found on thrombogenesis, insulin resistance through oxidative stress, on the developing immune system, lipid metabolism and alterations in liver, lung, skin and behavior. Much less is known about health effects for bystanders from the aerosols exhaled during “vaping” of e-cigarettes, but nicotine and other toxins from e-cigarettes are certainly a hazard, which should be prevented by the use of dermal and oral nicotine products, which are safer for nicotine replacement and without risk for bystanders.
Apr 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-9181.ijnr-19-2771
Ozcelik FatihCorresponding author
University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul, Turkey
In literature, it has been reported that adrenomedullin, which is generally thought to have vasodilator, natriuretic and diuretic effects, is synthesized in almost all body, especially CNS, vascular muscles and endothelium, heart, liver, lung, kidney, gastric mocosa, intestinal endothelium and various blood cells. It has been found that the possible effects of adrenomedullin can be demonstrated directly or indirectly by means of active mediators, neuropeptides, enzymes and hormones. It is also suggested that it regulates the endocrine system by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. It increases in heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, hypertensive conditions, cerebrovascular accessory, chronic renal failure and periodontitis and decreases in peptic ulcer and intestinal diseases. However, it is still not clear whether increase/decrease in adrenomedullin level is a cause of a disease or is a result of damage due to an illness. This peptide, which could be thought to multifunctional, should be considered as a molecule with genetic coding that may have different effects on different tissues and conditions. For all these reasons, we aimed to review the multifonctional behavior of adrenemedullin in the light of the current literature to pioneer new hypotheses and discuss possible mechanisms.
Dec 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-18-2501
Mainardi PaoloCorresponding author
Kolfarma Srl, Viale B.Bisagno 14, 16167 Genova, Italy
In the last few years, gut microbiota has been identified to be an essential mediator in health and disease. In fact, it interacts with various organs and systems in the body, including brain, lung, liver, bone, cardiovascular system, and others. Microbiota-derived metabolites such as the short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate are primary signals, which link the gut microbiota and physiology. Then, the findings on the roles of microbiota profoundly change not only the key concepts of biology and medicine, but also of nutrition. In fact, it is currently evident how the main task of nutrition is not to nourish us, but to maintain a comfortable environment for the intestinal microbiota. In this way, it works in symbiosis with us, correctly controlling the functioning of the organs, the physiological parameters and the cellular regenerative processes. It is also evident that the strength of reparative processes correlates with the ability of digestive system to process complex foods, which increases during weaning, a period of time in which the diversity of bacterial strains increases. Therefore, a task of food is to keep trained the digestive system, to which it corresponds an high microbiota diversity. Elderly leads to reduced microbiota diversity to which corresponds an intestinal frailty, responsible for the frailty of the elderly. In conclusion, a correct diet may not only keep us in good health but may also guarantee us longer longevity.
Oct 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2328-0182.japst-18-2341
Nyunaї NyembCorresponding author
The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the safety of a stem bark aqueous extract of Harunganamadagascariensis Lam. (Hypericaceae) by determining its potential toxicity after acute and subacute administration in rodents. Acute toxicity tests were carried out in mice and the behavior, death and median lethal dose (LD50) were estimated. Subacute toxicity (28 days) studies were conducted in rats with oral daily doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg. Parameters observed at the end of the subacute tests included changes in body and vital organ weights, mortality, hematological, biochemical, hepatic and kidney effects. Harunganamadagascariensisextract did not produce any visible toxicity or mortality with oral doses up to 2000 mg/kg within 14 days of single treatment, leading to the conclusion that the LD50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg. In the subacute toxicity tests, neither mortality nor visible signs of lethality was seen in rats. No significant change in the weight of the kidney, liver, heart, lungs spleen, pancreas and testicles was observed. Alanine transaminase (ALT) increased significantly in males at 400 and 600 mg/kg, whereas Aspartate transaminase (AST) decreased at 600 mg/kg in female rats. HDL Cholesterol was reduced at 600 mg/kg in female rats. There was a significant increase in urea concentration in female rats at 400 mg/kg. A significant decrease, both in platelet volume distribution (PVD) at 400 mg/kg in male rats and in red cell volume distribution (RDW) at 200 mg/kg were recorded in female rats respectively, but with no changes in other hematologic parameters. Histological study shows normal structure of liver, kidneys and heart of control and treated rats. Results indicate that oral doses of aqueous stem bark of Harunganamadagascariensis are relatively safe in rats; however, assessment of hepatobiliary function should be done during chronic use in humans.
Aug 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2377-2549.jndc-18-2116
Sarani MinaCorresponding author
Zabol Medicinal Plants Research Center, Zabol University of Medical Sciences.
Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) are versatile materials with a broad range of applications in various fields such as cancer therapy, drug delivery. In this work, cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of silver nanoparticles was evaluation against lung (A549) and colon (HT-29) cell lines. The cytotoxic activity of nanoparticles was performed by MTT assay, while their apoptotic activity was tested through TUNEL method. The results of MTT of A549 have illustrate that fifty percent of cells destruction in concentrations more than 250 µg/ml of Ag-NPs. Apoptotic results of nanoparticles have shown more than fifty percent of apoptosis on A549 cell line. HT-29 display full apoptosis at concentrations more than 500 µg/ml. It seems that synthesized Ag-NPs by using P. farcta extract can be candidate as anti-cancer agent in treatment many cancers through creating or discovering new drug forms
Jun 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-18-2139
S. Afriyie-Mensah JaneCorresponding author
Department of Medicine and therapeutics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences university of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has become an increasingly recognized complication in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Though the burden of SCA in sub-Saharan Africa is high, there is paucity of data on SCA-associated PH with little or no attention given to it in routine patient care. The current study therefore sought to determine the prevalence of PH and its associated risk factors among adult patients with SCA. This was a cross-sectional study involving 76 clinically stable, hydroxyurea-naive participants. We obtained socio-demographic and clinical history. Measurement of Tricuspid Regurgitant jet Velocity (TRV) was obtained via transthoracic echocardiography and lung function was assessed using spirometry and pulse oximetry. Other investigations were complete blood counts, free plasma haemoglobin, serum urea and creatinine. Twenty-five (32.9%) of study participants had elevated TRV (≥ 2.5m/s) on Doppler echocardiography, which was suggestive of raised pulmonary artery systolic pressure. There were significant associations between elevated TRV and steady-state haemoglobin (p < 0.001), blood urea level (p = 0.030), presence of chronic leg ulcers (p = 0.043) and oxygen saturation (p < 0.001) and these may be identifiable and modifiable risk factors for selective screening with echocardiography in a resource poor setting.
Dec 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-2086.jfs-17-1846
Amin RuchiCorresponding author
Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Introduction: Data support the use of both ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prenatal prognostication of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The aim of this study was to examine our experience and learning curve with both of these diagnostic tools in the setting of a new fetal program. Materials and Methods: This is a case series performed as a quality improvement measure. Fetuses were identified at a single tertiary institution with both ultrasound lung-to-head ratio (LHR) and MRI fetal lung volume from December 2012 until July 2016. Prenatal and postnatal data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Twenty-one patients met inclusion criteria. Inaccurate LHRs were found in 26.9% (7/26) of patients, with the lack of a four-chamber heart view as the most common inaccuracy (5/26, 19.2%). Patients with only some or no stomach in the thoracic cavity on fetal MRI had 100% survival to discharge. Discussion: Accurate prenatal prognostication of CDH is challenging. We identified a pitfall in attaining LHR that can be easily identified, and that may influence the accuracy of the measurement. Furthermore, stomach position on MRI is a relatively newly described quick, easy, and reproducible metric for predicting prognosis.
Nov 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-2175.jdrt-17-1760
Bhandaru MadhuriCorresponding author
Department of Dermatology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Metastatic melanoma is a very deadly type of skin cancer with poor prognosis and low 5-year survival rates. Until recently, patients with metastatic melanoma had very few treatment options, which only included dacarbazine and aldesleukin. In 2011, the first checkpoint blocker, ipilimumab was approved for the treatment of unresectable metastatic melanoma but its success was eclipsed by low response rates and high incidence of adverse events. Later in 2014, anti-PD-1 antibodies, nivolumab and pembrolizumab were approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. With comparatively high response rates and manageable safety profile, PD-1 blockers were remarkably successful in the treatment of melanoma and also other cancer subtypes such as non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic urothelial carcinoma. This article highlights the success of anti-PD-1 antibodies, discusses the mechanism of PD-1:PD-L1/2 pathway, responses of melanoma patients to PD-1 blockers and the research on improving response rates to PD-1 blockers.
Sep 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-17-1727
Akazawa ManabuCorresponding author
Public Health and Epidemiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
Background: Healthcare services provided to patients should vary depending on disease severity. However, disease severity bias, a type of selection bias, is a commonly encountered problem in administrative database studies. Herein, we selected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which commonly affects elderly Japanese citizens, for the development and validation of a severity classification system based on a health insurance claims database. Methods: Patients who received COPD-related diagnostic codes in 2011 were selected from a commercially based health insurance claims database. COPD patients were randomly divided into two groups to develop and validate severity scores. A principal component analysis was used to estimate factor loadings used to weight calculations of COPD severity scores. Score validity was evaluated using a linear trend test to predict COPD treatment costs and acute exacerbation events. Results: Using records from 880 patients, ten variables were created: acute exacerbation events, emphysema diagnoses, laboratory test and oxygen therapy procedures, prescribed anticholinergic, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), short acting beta-agonist, and long acting bronchodilator (LABA) agents, asthma diagnosis and patient birth years. Factor loadings from LABA and ICS prescriptions had the strongest impacts on estimated severity scores (0.50 and 0.49, respectively). Among 300 validation group patients, scores were found to associate with increasing trends of median costs and exacerbation risks (p for trend < 0.05). Conclusions: Estimatedseverity scores would help to predict COPD-related medical costs and exacerbation events. For further clinical implementation, this classification system should be re-evaluated using clinical lung functions information indicative COPD severity and treatment choices.
Sep 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-9359.jot-17-1594
Seguchi OsamuCorresponding author
Department of Transplantation, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Japan
Constrictive pericarditis (CP) represents a rare complication after heart transplantation (HTx), resulting from various postoperative events such as mediastinitis, pericardial effusion, or allograft rejection. We describe our recent experience with managing an HTx recipient who developed atypical patterns of CP predominantly involving the right ventricle. A 52-year-old male who had received heart transplantation 2.5 years before was admitted to our institution because of progressive symptoms of heart failure. The patient had experienced acute rejection twice post-HTx, both with International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation grade 1R, undergoing an additional endomyocardial biopsy other than those performed during regular check-ups. On admission, echocardiography revealed paradoxical septal motion and a large cystic-like mass with a thick capsule in front of the right ventricle. Right heart catheterization revealed elevation of right atrial pressure, with severely reduced cardiac index. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed both seroma and a thick cystic-like capsule tightly adhered to the right ventricle. CP was suspected despite the atypical patterns of presentation. Seroma was removed through exploratory lateral thoracotomy, without improvement in symptoms, which was only achieved via subsequent pericardiectomy involving resection of the thickened parietal pericardium, removal of effusion fluid, and further excision of diffusely thickened visceral pericardium and epicardium. The patient is currently recovering uneventfully. The possibility of CP after HTx should be considered despite the rarity of this condition and HTx recipients should be closely monitored using various imaging modalities because CP typically demonstrates non-specific symptoms and physical findings of heart failure, with high mortality.
Aug 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-17-1555
Karam IsamCorresponding author
Central Laboratory of Veterinary Research, Soba (Animal Resources Research Corporation ARRC),
The study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia CBPP in Khartoum state. One-hundred twenty-two pneumonic lung tissue samples were collected from different slaughterhouses (116 samples most of which from local breed cattle) and from the field (six samples from cross breed cattle). Two-hundred and fifty-seven serum samples were collected randomly from cattle in different areas of the state. Tissue samples were cultivated using the standard mycoplasma procedures. Mmm was isolated from three pneumonic lungs collected from the field while no isolates were recovered from slaughterhouse samples. Histopathological sections from the positive samples revealed the typical picture of the CBPP which include fibrinonecrotic pneumonia within filtration of inflammatory cells and fibrin and distention of interlobular septae. One hundred and eight out of 257 serum samples were found positive for antibodies against Mmmusing complement fixation test (CFT). Findings of this study confirmed the presence of CBPP in Khartoum state by the isolation and identification of the causative agent.
May 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2694-1201.jsn-17-1470
Domenico ChirchigliaCorresponding author
Professor of Department of Neurosurgery, University of Catanzaro
Brain tumors occur when abnormal cells form within the brain.There are two main types of tumors: malignant and benign tumors. Then, tumors can be divided into primary that start within the brain, and secondary tumors that have spread from somewhere else, known as brain metastasis tumors. Secondary brain tumors occur in approximately 15 % of cancer patients with about half of metastases coming from lung cancer. Primary brain tumors occur in around 250,000 people a year globally, making up less than 2% of whole body tumors. According to American Brain Tumor Association the most common types of primary tumors are gliomas, representing 74,6 % of all malignant tumors and meningiomas ( 36,6% ) while more affected region is frontal lobe, about 22 % . Particularly, prefrontal cortex ( PFC ), the anterior part of the frontal lobe that is highly developed in humans plays a role in the regulation of personality, emotional, and behavioral functioning, leading to serious cognitive impairments 1. These are the psychological signs of frontal lobe tumors, in addition to other functions such as the expressive language of Broca's area or those relating to voluntary movement, linked to frontal cortical motor areas. It relates to the so-called higher nervous functions, concerning the life of relationship and communication. The PFC physiology explains the psychological mechanisms of its associated functions: connections with the limbic cortex, thalamus, hypothalamus, basal ganglia and other subcortical areas.The regions of the PFC at the base of the psychophysiological mechanisms involved are basically the dorso-lateral, the ventro-medial, the orbito-frontal establishing contacts primarily with limbic structures, such as the cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, amygdala.
Feb 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2997-2086.jfs-16-1098
Burjonrappa SathyaprasadCorresponding author
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY 11501
We report a twin gestation with one fetus afflicted by a left sided Extra-Lobar Sequestration (ELS) in a morbidly obese mother. The ELS was complicated by a left pleural effusion in the second trimester unresponsive to maternal steroid administration. We discuss the need for repeat shunt placement, in the setting of maternal morbid obesity and twin gestation. Shunt replacement was necessary secondary to dislodgement. Delivery at 34 weeks gestation was followed by successful surgical removal of the ELS. At one year follow up the infant has complete expansion of the left lung with no morbidity.
Feb 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-16-1103
M. Chaudhary SanjeevCorresponding author
Associate Professor, Government Medical College,Gondia
Background : DOTS is the current international strategy for tuberculosis control endorsed by the World Health Organization and the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases. Maharashtra achieved full coverage under RNTCP in October 2003. The programme was launched in Nagpur in the last quarter of 2002. Three years after its launch, it is the ideal time to assess the performance of programme to identify the operational challenges. Methods: This is a cross sectional study carried out in 'Sadar Tuberculosis Unit' of Nagpur Municipal Corporation with the objective to study performance of some aspects of RNTCP. Programme performance was explored through laboratory records review and non participant observations of all four designated microscopy centres. DOT centres were observed for accessibility, identifiability and the facilities provided to patients visiting for treatment. Performance of some operational aspects of RNTCP was assessed using standards, norms, procedures etc described in programme guidelines. Results: It was observed that the TB unit was manned with RNTCP- trained supervisory team. Three of four microscopy centres were established in multispecialty health facilities. Adequate space for sputum microscopy was available at two centres. Laboratory technician was available at three centres. Separate tables for smearing and staining were available at three centres. Sink, staining racks, spirit lamp, binocular microscope and drugs in patient - wise boxes were available in all four centres. Laboratory registers were completely and correctly filled in all centres. No false positive or false negative error was found in rereading of AFB smears. Conclusions: It is concluded that the performance of the programme at the unit is satisfactory. Still some aspects of the programme components need to be strengthened at microscopy centres for better performance of RNTCP.
Jan 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2574-4518.jsdr-16-1333
Hakim T.S.Corresponding author
Sleep Apnea Treatment Unit, Phoenix, AZ and University of South Florida, Department of Anesthesiology, Tampa, FL.
Expiratory Positive airway pressure (EPAP) devices such as prevent have been used for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea without discussing their limitations. In this short review we discuss the physiological limitations of EPAP devices during inspiration and during expiration. During spontaneous breathing, when EPAP is excessive, the patient would have difficulty breathing in because lung compliance decreases at higher volumes. Furthermore excessive EPAP could lead to progressive trapping of air in the lungs. An ideal EPAP device should allow the patient to adjust the resistance to a comfortable level that would provide EPAP without a progressive buildup in pressure, without compromising tidal volume, without causing CO2 retention, and without disturbing sleep. The use of EPAP devices with adjustable resistance is essential for best results in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
May 2015 DOI 10.14302/issn.2471-7061.jcrc-14-574
B. Irby RosalynCorresponding author
Department of Medicine Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033. &Denotes equal contribution
Colon cancer has a five-year survival of 64.7%, and about 50,000 people are expected to die from colon cancer this year. Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have a significantly worse prognosis, a 12.9% five-year survival. This emphasizes the need for strategies to inhibit the growth and metastases of colorectal cancer. Prostate apoptosis response protein 4 (Par-4) is a pro-apoptotic protein that has been shown to mediate apoptosis in response to stimuli, such as chemotherapeutics and radiation. Recombinant Par-4 protein has been shown to reduce the occurrence of Lewis lung carcinoma metastases in-vivo; however, the mechanism by which Par-4 can inhibit metastasis has not been elucidated. In this study, human colon cancer cell lines - SW480 and SW620 - were transfected with Par-4 plasmid or anti-Par-4 shRNA, and the effect on metastasis was examined. Par-4 overexpression inhibited cell migration and invasion, while Par-4 knockdown promoted it. Moreover, the morphology of SW620 cells was altered when Par-4 levels were increased. The change was characteristic of a mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in these cells. MET can be induced by upregulation of E-cadherin expression, and RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed that E-cadherin mRNA and protein levels, respectively, were increased in the Par-4 overexpressing cells concomitant with a decrease in vimentin. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of Par-4 in colon cancer therapy, not only in primary tumors but also in metastatic cells.
Jul 2013 DOI 10.14302/issn.2326-0793.jpgr-13-207
Floros JoannaCorresponding author
Center for Host defense, Inflammation, and Lung Disease (CHILD) Research and Departments of Pediatrics
Surfactant protein A (SP-A) plays a number of roles in lung host defense and innate immunity. There are two human genes, SFTPA1 and SFTPA2, and evidence indicates that the function of SP-A1 and SP-A2 proteins differ in several respects. To investigate the impact of SP-A1 and SP-A2 on the alveolar macrophage (AM) phenotype, we generated humanized transgenic (hTG) mice on the SP-A knockout (KO) background, each expressing human SP-A1 or SP-A2. Using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) we studied the AM cellular proteome. We compared mouse lines expressing high levels of SP-A1, high levels of SP-A2, low levels of SP-A1, and low levels of SP-A2, with wild type (WT) and SP-A KO mice. AM from mice expressing high levels of SP-A2 were the most similar to WT mice, particularly for proteins related to actin and the cytoskeleton, as well as proteins regulated by Nrf2. The expression patterns from mouse lines expressing higher levels of the transgenes were almost the inverse of one another – the most highly expressed proteins in SP-A2 exhibited the lowest levels in the SP-A1 mice and vice versa. The mouse lines where each expressed low levels of SP-A1 or SP-A2 transgene had very similar protein expression patterns suggesting that responses to low levels of SP-A are independent of SP-A genotype, whereas the responses to higher amounts of SP-A are genotype-dependent. Together these observations indicate that in vivo exposure to SP-A1 or SP-A2 differentially affects the proteomic expression of AMs, with SP-A2 being more similar to WT.