BMC pulmonary medicine
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BMC pulmonary medicine · Jan 2014
Observational StudyDeterminants of outcome of solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura: an observational cohort study.
Solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (SFTP) are rare and their long-term outcome is difficult to predict, as there are insufficient data which allow accurate characterization of the malignant variant. Thus the aim of this study was to describe the outcome and possible determinants of malignant behavior of SFTPs. ⋯ Patients with large SFTP with a high mitotic index and high proliferation rate should be followed-up closely and over a prolonged time period in order to recognize recurrence of the SFTP early and at a treatable stage. Future research on this topic should focus on the prognostic role of immunohistochemistry including Ki-67 expression and molecular parameters.
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BMC pulmonary medicine · Jan 2014
Lung fibrotic tenascin-C upregulation is associated with other extracellular matrix proteins and induced by TGFβ1.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive parenchymal lung disease of unknown aetiology and poor prognosis, characterized by altered tissue repair and fibrosis. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a critical component in regulating cellular homeostasis and appropriate wound healing. The aim of our study was to determine the expression profile of highlighted ECM proteins in IPF lungs. ⋯ The difference in ECM glycoprotein content in interstitial lung diseases could contribute to the development of lung fibrosis. The increase of TNC in interstitial areas of fibrotic activity could play a key role in the altered wound healing.
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BMC pulmonary medicine · Jan 2014
Visualisation of time-varying respiratory system elastance in experimental ARDS animal models.
Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) risk lung collapse, severely altering the breath-to-breath respiratory mechanics. Model-based estimation of respiratory mechanics characterising patient-specific condition and response to treatment may be used to guide mechanical ventilation (MV). This study presents a model-based approach to monitor time-varying patient-ventilator interaction to guide positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) selection. ⋯ Real-time continuous monitoring of in-breath mechanics provides further insight into lung physiology. Therefore, there is potential for this new monitoring method to aid clinicians in guiding MV treatment. These are the first such maps generated and they thus show unique results in high resolution. The model is limited to a constant respiratory resistance throughout inspiration which may not be valid in some cases. However, trends match clinical expectation and the results highlight both the subject-specificity of the model, as well as significant inter-subject variability.
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BMC pulmonary medicine · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyUpregulation of the tight junction protein occludin: effects on ventilation-induced lung injury and mechanisms of action.
Occludin, a tight junction protein, plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the lung epithelial barrier; however, its role in ventilation-induced lung injury has not been explored. Here, we measured the expression of occludin with different tidal volumes. Our study indicated that the level of occludin was significantly decreased and alveolar permeability was increased owing to acute lung injury. ⋯ Mechanical ventilation can activate the PKC signaling pathway and tight junction proteins participate in this pathway. Up-regulation of occludin can reduce ventilation-induced lung injury.