Evaluation of PD-1 T lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage in lung cancer compared to benign lung diseases

The expression of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) has been shown to be markedly increased in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. However, the proportion of PD-1 + T cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of lung cancer patients has not been sufficiently evaluated so far. In this prospective study, the proportion of PD-1 + CD4 + as well as PD-1 + CD8 + T cells in BAL samples, isolated from patients with lung cancer, asthma or interstitial lung disease (ILD), were determined via flow cytometry and compared for differences. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 34 patients (14 patients with lung cancer, 10 patients with asthma, 10 patients with ILD). The highest median proportion of PD-1 + CD4 + or PD-1 + CD8 + T cells were found in patients with ILD (83.1% [IQR 72.1; 87.5] and 73.8% [IQR 60.3; 86.3]) followed by patients with lung cancer (66.4% [IQR 59; 69] and 77.1% [IQR 35.8; 82.3]) and patients with asthma (61.3% [IQR 57.4; 70.5] and 57.3% [IQR 46; 65]). Thereby, the difference in the proportion of PD-1 + CD3 + CD4 + BAL cells between ILD patients and asthmatics was significantly different (p = 0.04). The proportion of PD-1 + CD4 + and PD-1 + CD8 + T cells in the BAL of patients with lung cancer did not differ significantly to patients with benign lung diseases. The highest proportion was observed in ILD patients suggesting further research to evaluate the role of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in ILD patients.

Does combined usage of FFP2 and Surgical mask against SARS-CoV-2 affect SpO2 values and pulse rates of dental health-care workers?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Combined use of surgical mask with filtering facepiece (FFP) 2 masks has been popular among the health-care workers. However, the effect of this preference on the vital values of individuals stays as a challenge among the professionals. The present study aimed to assess the effect of FFP2 mask versus combined use of it with surgical mask on the SpO₂ values and pulse rates of individuals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was conducted on 20 health-care workers. The pulse rates and SpO₂ values were evaluated by pulse oximeter placed in the index fingers of the participants. The participants were divided into two groups: those using the FFP2 mask and those using FFP2-surgical mask combination. Individuals wearing FFP2 mask were examined for a period of 60 min and the same examination was repeated for another period of 60 min in those using combination of FFP2 with surgical mask. The values were measured at the beginning and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min intervals, respectively. The examinations were conducted in the rest position to obtain standardization.

RESULTS

The observed data showed no statistical difference at all periods in either SpO₂ values or pulse rates between FFP2 and FFP2-surgical mask combined groups. The SpO₂ values reduced from the initial time to 15 min in the FFP2-surgical mask group. Also, in the FFP2-SM group, statistically significant increase in values was observed between 15 and 45 min and 15 and 60 min. Another increase in SpO₂ value was found in the observations made between made 30 and 45 min in the same group (P < 0.05). The pulse rates of the individuals showed no statistical difference in both the groups and at all experimental periods (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to the present study, wearing only the FFP2 mask or FFP2-surgical mask combination seems not to cause any effect on the SpO₂ values and pulse rates of the participants.

Bioactivity of EtOH and MeOH Extracts of Basidiomycetes Mushroom (Stereum hirsutum) on Atherosclerosis

Mushrooms are cosmopolitan organisms living on different substrates and have different pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects thanks to many bioactive compounds. Edible and medicinal higher fungi have been used by humankind for millennia. They are collected and used directly not only for their nutritional values as a main source of food or as a part of a regular diet but also for their medicinal purpose as a source of powerful new bioactive compounds. Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory functions and therefore lipid-lowering effects correlate with antiatherogenic effects. This study determined the total antioxidant capacity (TAS), total oxidant capacity (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity, and antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Stereum hirsutum (Willd.) Pers. Moreover, the effects on atherosclerosis are discussed according to the antioxidant activity of the mushroom. The TAS, TOS, and OSI values of S. hirsutum were determined using Rel Assay kits. According to the results, the TAS, TOS, and OSI values were determined at 5.289&amp;plusmn;0.113 mmol/L, 20.540&amp;plusmn;0.416 &amp;mu;mol/L, and 0.389&amp;plusmn;0.012. Furthermore, free radical scavenging activity was determined by the DPPH method. The ethanol (EtOH) extracts of S. hirsutum showed higher DPPH activity than methanol extracts. The EtOH extracts at a concentration of 2 mg/mL showed a DPPH inhibition of 45.84&amp;plusmn;0.81%. Antimicrobial activities were tested on 9 standard bacterial and fungal strains, including Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus MRSA, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Candida albicans, C. krusei,and C. glabrata using a modified agar dilution method. Extracts showed high activity against S. aureus, S. aureus MRSA, and A.baumannii. In conclusion, it was suggested that S. hirsutum can be used as a natural source related to the effects on atherosclerosis due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Nebulised Gadolinium-Based Nanoparticles for a Multimodal Approach: Quantitative and Qualitative Lung Distribution Using Magnetic Resonance and Scintigraphy Imaging in Isolated Ventilated Porcine Lungs

Purpose

This study aims at determining lung distribution of gadolinium-based polysiloxane nanoparticles, AGuIX^® (small rigid platform - SRP), as a potential theranostic approach by the pulmonary route.

Methods

First, the aerodynamic size distribution and the aerosol output rate were thoroughly characterized. Then, a multimodal approach using magnetic resonance (MR) and gamma-camera (GC) imaging allows to assess the deposition of the aerosolised nanoparticles in the respiratory tract using isolated ventilated porcine lungs.

Results

The SRP has proven to be radiolabelled by radioisotope with a good yield. Crude SRP or radiolabelled ones showed the same aerodynamic size distribution and output as a conventional molecular tracer, as sodium fluoride. With MR and GC imaging approaches, the nebulised dose represented about 50% of the initial dose of nanoparticles placed in the nebuliser. Results expressed as proportions of the deposited aerosol showed approximately a regional aerosol deposition of 50% of the deposited dose in the lungs and 50% in the upper airways. Each technique assessed a homogeneous pattern of deposited nanoparticles in Lungs. MR observed a strong signal enhancement with the SRP, similar to the one obtained with a commonly used MRI contrast agent, gadoterate meglumine.

Conclusion

As a known theranostic approach by intravenous administration, SRP appeared to be easily aerosolised with a conventional nebuliser. The present work proves that pulmonary administration of SRP is feasible in a human-like model and allows multimodal imaging with MR and GC imaging. This work presents the proof of concept of SRP nebulisation and aims to generate preclinical data for the potential clinical transfer of SRP for pulmonary delivery.

Three-dimensional quantitative MRI of aerosolized gadolinium-based nanoparticles and contrast agents in isolated ventilated porcine lungs

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the suitability and performance of ultra-short echo time (UTE) sequences for imaging and quantifying the deposition of nebulized MRI contrast agents in human-sized lungs.

METHODS

Nebulization of clinically used contrast agent or gadolinium-based nanoparticles were performed using a commercial jet nebulizer in isolated and ventilated porcine lungs connected to a 3D-printed human upper airways replica. MR images of isolated lungs were acquired on a 3T clinical MR scanner using 3D UTE sequences at different flip angles.

RESULTS

3D acquisitions with isotropic millimetric resolution were obtained in less than 4 min. Images exhibit homogeneous and large MR signal enhancement (above 200%) following nebulization of both types of aerosols. Deposition of aerosol down to the level of the bronchi of secondary lobules was visualized. T₁ values and the concentration of nanoparticles obtained by MRI were found to correlate with the amount of nebulized gadolinium³⁺ ions.

CONCLUSION

The distribution of aerosolized gadolinium-based contrast agent or nanoparticles can be visualized and quantified using UTE MRI in large animal ventilated lung model on a clinical MRI scanner. This protocol can be used for assessing and quantifying aerosol regional deposition with high spatial resolution (1 mm 3D isotropic) without ionizing radiation and could be applied in the future for diagnostic or therapeutic applications in patients.

French Multicentric Evaluation of Recombinant Tissue Factor (Recombiplastin) for Determination of Prothrombin Time

Recombiplastin, a recombinant a human tissue factor, elaborated by Ortho Diagnostic Systems, produced by Baculovirus and relipidated with highly purified phospholipids, was tested as a new reagent for determining prothrombin time (PT) in a French multicentric study. Its intralaboratory- performances, including sensitivity, repeatability, reproducibility and stability, were explored to establish whether its use would reduce the interlaboratory dispersion of PT values, and therefore improve the standardization of oral anticoagulant treatment.

The 9 university hospital hematology laboratories involved in this study used the same type of instrument (KC 10). For 10 consecutive days, they determined PTS on a normal plasma pool, plasma dilutions of 1/2, 1/3 and 1/8, 3 identical lyophilized calibrated plasmas, as well as plasmas from 20 normal subjects, 50 patients on oral anticoagulant therapy with Recombiplastin which has an International Sensitivity Index (ISI) of 1, and 2 commercial thromboplastin extracts (ISI #1 or 2). In the patients on anticoagulants, factors VII, X and V were measured when results were conflicting.

The intra and interlaboratory reproducibilities of Recombiplastin, calculated on the basis of either PTS expressed in seconds, or of the International Normalized Ratio (INR), were good, with coefficients of variation (CV) similar to those observed with the 5 other reagents used by the different laboratories (2% <CV <8%).

The stability of Recombiplastin was excellent, with no variation in PT after 72 h of incubation at 37° C.

A normal PT of 12 s was obtained with Recombiplastin, similar to the values found for the reagents with ISI #2. In the patients on anticoagulants, Recombiplastin gave the longest coagulation times (PTRecombipiastin = 64.2 s vs PTNeoPlastin = 32.8 s, and PTThromborel = 54.4 s). These results suggest that Recombiplastin is highly sensitive to the changes in coagulation induced by anticoagulants. Recombiplastin was more sensitive to factor VII deficiency than any of the other reagents, even those with ISI #1.

The coefficients of correlation between the INRS calculated on the basis of the PTS obtained with Recombiplastin and the INRS based on the PTS for other thromboplastins, were satisfactory (0.85 <R <0.95) but a breakpoint in the slope of the regression curves was observed when INR >4. This observation requires further investigation, particularly in connection with the exact ISI values for Recombiplastin and the other thromboplastins used in this study.

In conclusion, Recombiplastin is stable and sensitive and gives accurate reproducible results. However, the behavior of Recombiplastin is slightly different from that of the commercial reagents whether their ISI is 1 or 2, and its use did not reduce the interlaboratory dispersion of PT values.

Effect of chronic kidney disease on serum resistin level

BACKGROUND

Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) of all etiologies are usually associated with Insulin Resistance (IR). Resistin is also a protein associated with IR. Some studies conducted abroad have shown that resistin level is higher among CKD patients.

OBJECTIVE

To test if serum resistin level is significantly higher in CKD patients compared to normal individuals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

96 CKD patients and 97 normal individuals were included in the study. Written informed consent was obtained from every individual.

RESULTS

Serum resistin level was higher in CKD patients compared to control subjects. The difference in serum resistin level between two groups was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Our study is probably the first study in India comparing serum resistin levels of CKD patients vis-à-vis control subjects. Further cellular research may be needed to explore this relation.

The compromise of dynamic disulfide/thiol homeostasis as a biomarker of oxidative stress in trichloroethylene exposure

In this study, we aimed to investigate disulfide/thiol homeostasis in trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure. The study was carried out in 30 nonsmoker TCE-exposed workers with a variety of occupations. Additionally, 30 healthy nonsmoker volunteers were recruited as the control group. TCE exposure was determined by measuring urinary trichloroacetic acid (TCA) concentration. Median urinary TCA levels of exposed workers (20.5 mg/L) were significantly higher than control subjects (5 mg/L). Thiol and disulfide concentrations were determined using a novel automated method. Disulfide/thiol ratio was significantly higher in the exposed group ( p < 0.001). Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was found to be disturbed in TCE-exposed workers. We predict that in TCE-exposed workers this disturbance can be a therapeutic target, and the efficiency of the treatment can easily be monitored by the novel method we used.